The Member of Parliament for Effiduasi/Asokore in the Ashanti Region, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has called on the Public Services Commission to play a more active role in promoting women’s inclusion in public sector recruitment as part of efforts to bridge the gender gap in Ghana.

According to him, while advocacy for women’s empowerment has largely focused on political representation and leadership positions, equal attention must also be given to employment opportunities within the public service.

Dr Afriye made the call on the floor of Parliament while contributing to a statement delivered by the Member of Parliament for Kpando, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, in commemoration of International Women’s Day.

He observed that women have demonstrated excellence across several professional fields and should therefore be given equitable access to opportunities in the public sector to further strengthen national development.

“The conversation about women’s inclusion has been largely centred on politics and political offices. However, the Public Services Commission must also take deliberate steps in recruitment to help balance the scale of equality,” he stated.

As part of his remarks, Dr Afriye paid tribute to distinguished women who have paved the way for others, singling out Grace Coleman, a former Deputy Minister of Finance and former Member of Parliament for Effiduasi/Asokore.

He described her as a trailblazer whose professional achievements and personal mentorship had a profound influence on his own career path.

Dr Afriye noted that Grace Coleman, an alumna of Wesley Girls’ High School and a Harvard-trained finance professional, served Ghana under the administration of President Hilla Limann and later under President John Agyekum Kufuor as Deputy finance minister.

He revealed that at a critical moment in his life, Coleman advised him against leaving Ghana in search of greener pastures abroad and encouraged him instead to remain in the country and build his future.

According to him, that guidance ultimately shaped his decision to pursue public service and eventually represent the people of Effiduasi/Asokore in Parliament.

Dr Afriye therefore urged society to intentionally nurture and support women, stressing that empowering women to reach their full potential would enable them to contribute meaningfully not only to national development but also to the progress of their families and communities.

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Dr Ayew Afriye advocates for increased female representation in public service#ghanaweb#ghanawebtv pic.twitter.com/1OgWV4WVFW

— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) March 5, 2026