The Minister-designate for Roads and Highways, Kwame Agbodza, has assured the vetting committee that the sector under his administration would ensure equitable opportunities for female contractors and create a more inclusive construction industry. This, he said he would do to deal with the issue of women contractors being sidelined in the awarding of major road projects.
The minister-designate, acknowledged the issue of a shortfall in female contractors as compared to male contractors, especially the construction and engineering sector in Ghana. He admitted that there are few women who study engineering, and few who further into the construction industry. He also stated that sometimes, the availability of women contractors is quite low.
Mr. Agbodza, however, mentioned that, “We will make a conscious effort to include women. It is necessary. I want my daughter to grow up to be whatever God wants her to be, and there shouldn’t be any barrier based on her gender.”
He added, “It is upon all of us to work together to make sure that wherever we find ourselves, we create fair opportunity for everybody, irrespective of gender, to participate fully in whatever activity it is”.
His response is in support of the Affirmative Action Bill which was passed into law, July 2024. The aim of the law is to ensure gender equality, inclusiveness and fair representation of women in every sector in the country.
According to its dictates, employers are to ensure at least a 30% women representation at their work place.
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