Two prominent women's rights coalitions in Ghana, NETRIGHT and the Affirmative Action Law Coalition (AALC), have challenged the government's stance on the ongoing constitutional review process. They argue that proposed changes fall short of guaranteeing land rights and gender equality for Ghanaian women. The groups issued a joint position paper opposing elements of the government's response to the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) report.
The coalitions are insisting that provisions on land rights, natural resources, and gender equality be strengthened before any amendments to the 1992 Constitution take effect. They contend that as currently framed, the CRC's recommendations risk leaving land ownership rules and affirmative action safeguards weaker than what is needed to achieve gender parity in Ghana.
The intervention by NETRIGHT and AALC adds a distinct front to the broader debate over how Ghana's constitution should be reshaped. The Constitutional Review Committee was set up to review the 1992 Constitution and recommend changes, and its report has already drawn competing demands from civil society groups and political actors in recent weeks.
Land ownership and inheritance disputes affect large numbers of Ghanaian women, particularly in rural and farming communities where customary practices often determine who controls property. If constitutional provisions on land rights and gender equality are not strengthened, women could continue to face weaker legal footing when land, natural resources, or opportunities tied to affirmative action policies are at stake.
The NETRIGHT and AALC position paper is a significant development in the constitutional review process, shifting attention from the length of political terms to the substance of rights protections written into the constitution. The outcome of this debate carries consequences well beyond the current review process, shaping the constitution for the long term.
NETRIGHT is a coalition of civil society organisations advocating for women's rights and gender equity in Ghana, while the Affirmative Action Law Coalition (AALC) campaigns for legal measures that give women fairer access to opportunities in politics, employment, and public life, including Ghana's Affirmative Action Act.
The timeline for resolving the dispute remains unclear, with no indication of when the government is expected to formally respond to the coalitions' position paper or when amendments arising from the CRC report might be brought before Parliament. The government has not stated whether it will revise its stance on land rights and gender equality provisions before the review process advances further.
Key points
- Women's rights groups in Ghana demand stronger protections in the constitution review.
- Proposed changes to the constitution have sparked debate over land rights and gender equality.
- The outcome of the debate will have long-term consequences for Ghanaian women.
