Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, raised an objection over the sole use of “fathers” in the national pledge when the House rose to recite the pledge as mandated by the new Standing Orders.
Effective Tuesday, February 6, parliamentary sessions commenced with the recitation of the national pledge to foster patriotism.
“I pledge myself to the service of Ghana, with all my strength and with all my heart. I promise to hold in high esteem our heritage, won for us through the blood and toil of our fathers; and I pledge myself in all things to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana. So help me God,” the national pledge reads.
After reciting the pledge at the commencement of the first meeting of the fourth session today, February 6, 2024, Madam Adwoa Safo drew the attention of Speaker Bagbin over the lack of recognition for women in Gold Coast’s toil for independence from British colonial rule.
She noted that singling out the role of men and ignoring women, even when Ghana is described as a woman, shows gender bias.
“This country, even when we were making reference to this country, we call it our motherland but when it comes to the pledge and we were referring to the toil, and fight, struggle, we omit that of our mothers.”
She therefore called on the Speaker to begin processes for gender appreciation and acknowledgement when reciting the national pledge.
“Mr Speaker, I want to draw your attention to it and we have to look at it again as a country so that we become more gender sensitive when it comes to our national pledge,” she added.
The speaker, in response, is said to have indicated the wording is from the constitution, thus a change might require an amendment.
Following the new Standing Orders’ implementation, Members of Parliament will also undergo a roll call.