The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has issued a critical call for Ghana to embed gender equality into its climate change policies, emphasizing the need for a just and inclusive transition to a green economy. The organization highlighted that the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 presents a strategic opportunity to ensure women are not marginalized in Ghana’s push toward sustainability.
Why Gender Equality Must Be Central to Climate Action
At a capacity-building workshop held in Accra, Mr. Gideon Mankralo, the National Project Coordinator of the ILO, addressed Chief Directors and Gender Desk Officers on the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act. He stressed that climate change disproportionately affects women, particularly those engaged in informal employment, subsistence agriculture, and unpaid care work—sectors that are highly vulnerable to floods, extreme heat, and erratic rainfall patterns.
“Climate change has the potential to exacerbate existing gender inequalities unless proactive measures are implemented,” Mankralo stated. “This is where affirmative action becomes indispensable—not just as a legal requirement, but as a necessity for equitable climate resilience.”
The Role of the Affirmative Action Act in Climate Policy
The Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 is designed to promote equitable participation of women and men in leadership, employment, and decision-making processes. However, Mankralo underscored that legislation alone cannot achieve equality—implementation is key.
“Ghana’s commitment to gender equity in climate policy is commendable,” he noted, praising the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection for its efforts in advancing the legislation. Yet, he warned that without structured enforcement, the transition to a green economy risks leaving women behind.
Six Key Priorities for Ghana’s Just Transition
To ensure a fair and inclusive green economy, the ILO outlined six critical priorities for Ghana:
- Integrating Gender into Climate Policies – Climate strategies must explicitly address gender disparities in vulnerability and decision-making.
- Investing in Women’s Green Skills – Women must have equal access to training in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate-adaptive technologies.
- Expanding Finance for Women-Led Green Enterprises – Financial institutions should prioritize women entrepreneurs in green industries to foster economic resilience.
- Increasing Women’s Access to Climate Finance – Women should be equally represented in climate funding mechanisms, ensuring they benefit from grants and low-interest loans.
- Strengthening Gender-Responsive Labour Data – Accurate data on women’s employment patterns in climate-sensitive sectors will inform targeted policy interventions.
- Promoting Women’s Leadership in Climate Governance – Women must be actively included in policy-making, environmental governance, and climate negotiations to shape equitable solutions.
The Just Transition Framework: Ensuring No One Is Left Behind
The ILO’s Just Transition approach emphasizes that a sustainable economy must be fair, inclusive, and equitable. Mankralo highlighted that the transition to a green economy should not only reduce carbon emissions but also create decent work opportunities for all, particularly women.
“If Ghana succeeds in integrating gender equality with climate resilience and green industrialization, it can build an economy that is not only greener but also more productive, resilient, and equitable,” he stated.
A Call to Action for Gender Focal Persons
Mankralo urged Gender Focal Persons across government institutions to treat the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act as a critical opportunity to ensure that climate action generates decent work while leaving no one behind.
“This is not just about compliance with legislation—it is about building a future where women and men share equally in the benefits of a sustainable economy,” he concluded.
By adopting a gender-responsive approach to climate policy, Ghana can strengthen its economic resilience, reduce poverty, and ensure a fairer transition for all citizens. The success of this endeavor will depend on strong political will, institutional commitment, and sustained public-private collaboration.