GenCED launches Ghana’s Maputo Protocol Scorecard

Civil society group, Gender for Empowering Development (GenCED) has Wednesday, January 16, 2019, launched the Ghana Maputo protocol scorecard to assess and provide recommendations on areas that need strengthening and immediate attention.

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, better known as the Maputo Protocol was adopted by the African Union in 2003 with 53 African countries signing. Currently, over 28 African countries have ratified it including Ghana.

Although the country has worked to domesticate some aspects of the protocol and implement actions on some of its articles, some civil societies have urged government to do more to address areas related to women and children.

Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director for GenCED, Esther Tawiah expressed confidence in the fact that the release of a status report on the implementation of the protocol will keep government, stakeholders and other civil society organisations on their toes and fast track policies targeted at achieving these protocol.

She added that, while the protocol has many articles, the organisation was only targeting Article 4 which speaks on the Right to Life, Integrity and Security of the person and Article 13 which addresses Economic and Social Welfare rights.

“When you sign on a charter sometimes the article does not elaborate but they need to be broken down and addressed. What is the way forward? What is government doing to achieve them? So when you are able to score government, it realizes that they are not doing some things well and they have to sit up. Then the recommendations that comes after will make government know which areas to pay special attention to. This protocol is the reason our president was recognised because we ratified it, but is it only about that? We need to interrogate ourselves and know what makes us good, say that we are here and need to be here, go there, change our ways and step up efforts”

“This report is more or less like an accountability tool to hold government answerable and let them know that all these charters that they have signed in our name must be fulfilled.”

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Director of the Gender Department, Mrs. Comfort Asare stressed on the need for behavioural change and sensitization across the country.

According to her, the issue with Ghana is culture related and significant progress can be made when the people throw their weight behind government, change their attitude and support policies.

The launch of the Ghana Maputo protocol scorecard was attended by representatives from Plan International and Plan Ghana, Members of the Forum for African Women Educationalists in Kenya, stakeholders and the media.

About GenCED

Gender for Empowering Development is a non-governmental organisation that seeks to empower women and the youth for sustainable development in the country. It was established in 2011 as an independent non-profit research and advocacy organisation which focuses on key areas of development including governance, peace and security, social interference and entrepreneurship.