The People’s National Convention (PNC) has called on the government to put women and children's needs at the centre of Ghana’s economic recovery programme that includes passing the Affirmative Action Bill into a law to allow women to get equal treatment in employment, education, as well as bring about political and economic parity, as the country bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the PNC, it will be difficult for Ghana to attain sustainable growth women are left behind.

This was contained in a statement issued by the PNC to mark International Women’s Day today, 8 March 2022.

This year’s global celebration of International Women’s Day is on the theme: ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’, whereas the local theme is ‘Breaking the barrier’.

The PNC also used the occasion to express its reservation about recent coup clamours in the country.

“As we celebrate International Women's Day, the PNC will like to remind Ghanaians that women and children are the hardest hit during coups and, so, the party cautions Ghanaians to be mindful of their utterances, since a coup can only end up worsening the situation of the already-deplorable state of women,” the statement said.

According to the PNC, both the NPP and NDC have been paying lip service to the Affirmative Action Bill, adding: “This is becoming a worrying trend since most African countries have passed the bill with the exception of Ghana and Nigeria”.

The party is, therefore, calling on the international community, civil society organisations, NGOs, among others, to add their voice to the push for the passage of the bill.

The party said Ghana has been blessed with talented women and, thus, appealed to them to step out of the margins and take their rightful place as leaders of the nation.

It said a future PNC government shall put women and children’s affairs at the centre of their governance decisions.

International Women's Day is celebrated every year on 8 March to mark and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and raise awareness about equality and the need to accelerate gender parity.