Gender Policy for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has been launched at the Burma Hall in Burma Camp on Friday 15 March, 2024.
The policy under the theme “Advancing the Ghana Armed Forces Commitment to Inclusiveness” was forged from a rich foundation of historical evolution, regional aspirations and global commitment towards a more inclusive and equal world to promote fair and equitable working environment for personnel.
The Acting Gender Policy Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff, Group Captain Theodora Adjoa Agornyo, noted that in the year 2020, the Military High Command created the structure for Gender Affairs taking into consideration international, regional and subregional, national and GAF context and obligations, among others.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah, said the government of Ghana has long been responsive in female participation in all spheres of public endeavours.
He stated that GAF Gender Policy (GAFGP) was crafted within the framework of the Ghanaian Constitution, specifically, Article 17(1) and (2) of the 1992 Constitution which guarantees gender equality and freedom of women, men, girls, and boys from the discrimination on the basis of social or economic status and assured that it would guarantee equal opportunities for personnel.
He also highlighted the United Nations Security Council resolution 2538 and 1325, which encourages full effective and meaningful participation of uniform and civilian women in peacekeeping operations at all levels including senior leadership positions.
The CDS commended the initiative of the late Major General Constance Ama Emefa Edjeani-Afenu, the Elsie Initiative for women in Peace Operations, Government of Canada, the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre, and all other stakeholders for the formulation of the policy.
The Guest of Honour, Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Martine Moreau, asserted that the policy was a major milestone in gender mainstreaming within the structure and culture of the GAF.
She applauded GAF and all stakeholders for the significant achievement adding that GAFGP represents a remarkable outcome of the Elsie Initiative bilateral partnership.
The Director General, Defence Civilian Establishment, Brigadier General Anita Asmah, read the over view of the GAFGP. The Policy, she said was made up of five (5) Chapters; but in two (2) different parts; adding that Part one (1) details Contextual Analysis and Rationale for a Gender Policy for the GAF, whilst the Part two (2) represents a Gender Policy Framework for the GAF.
