Madam Sarah Adwoa Safo, Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya under the New Patriotic Party, has called for the acknowledgment of women in Ghana's National Pledge, citing gender insensitivity in its current formulation.
During a parliamentary session, Madam Safo highlighted the omission of mothers in the National Pledge's clause, “through the blood and toil of our fathers,” emphasizing the significant role women played in Ghana's struggle for independence.
She stated, “The National Pledge talks about ‘through the blood and toil of our fathers' and omits mothers, but the mothers also toiled for this country, and it is gender insensitive.”
Madam Safo further emphasized the contradiction in referring to Ghana as “our motherland” while excluding mothers from recognition in the National Pledge. She urged for a more gender-sensitive approach to national symbols and narratives.
Her call for inclusion comes in the wake of Parliament's implementation of new Standing Orders, which require Members of Parliament to recite the National Pledge at the start of each week's proceedings. Order 69 of the new Standing Orders mandates this recitation.
Additionally, the updated Standing Orders now necessitate heads of state institutions to be present in Parliament to address questions pertaining to their agencies directly.
Madam Safo urged Parliament and relevant stakeholders to review the National Pledge critically and make necessary amendments to reflect gender inclusivity. Her advocacy underscores the importance of recognizing women's contributions in shaping Ghana's history and identity.
