The Gender Unit of the Lands Commission has organized a one-day workshop on the importance of Gender Mainstreaming in the Northern sector of Ghana at the Modern City Hotel in Tamale, today 23rd May 2023.
The main objective of the Gender Policy of the Lands Commission is to explicitly outline the Commission’s commitment to gender equity; to provide a clear mandate for effectively mainstreaming gender into the main operation of the Lands Commission, through project and program development and implementation, performance monitoring reporting, and decision-making at all levels.
It is also to promote a gender-responsive organizational culture that looks at the welfare of staff.
Surv. Jones Ofori-Boadu in his opening remarks painted favourable portraits of the Commission and promised that the Commission would be undertaking a drive aimed at recruiting more staff at the commission to boost productivity.
He further touched on the Gender policy of the Commission and lauded the Gender Unit Head, Ms Margaret Lamptey, for the good work done.
He disclosed that the Commission seeks to consciously transform its male-dominated workforce and structure it into a more gender-balanced organization.
Surv. Ofori-Boadu, therefore, urged participants to follow the practices and procedures for the achievement of gender equity and non-discrimination in the Lands Commission.
One focal person and a representative were drawn from each of the five regions namely Upper East, Upper West, North East, Savannah, and Northern regions.
Ms Lamptey later introduced participants to Gender and the importance of the Gender Unit.
She threw light on the difference between Gender Equity and Gender Equality.
Ms Lamptey in highlighting some of the achievements of the Gender Unit so far mentioned that, Management through the Deputy Executive Secretary, Surv. Jones Ofori-Boadu, has secured two daycare facilities for the Lands Commission. One is located in the new building and the other at the Greater Accra Regional Office and the Annual medical screening (Breast, prostrate, and other general medical screening).
Mr. Alexis Kutu (SMD focal person of the Gender Unit), also took participants through the Gender Policy of the Commission.
Mrs. Ruby Kemeh an Interbal Auditor with the Lands Commission spoke about sexual harassment in the workplace. She spoke about how speech, stares, and touch could create unhealthy environments at the workplace, adding that a complaint form has been designed and would be issued to staff to state their cases for onward submission to the Gender unit to take appropriate measures to address the stated issues within a time frame of two (2) weeks.
She further assured participants that all complaints would be investigated in the strictest confidence and handled professionally.
Surv. Anyidoho touched on the Gender provisions in the Land Act 2020 (Act1036) which included: SECTION 47; Spousal Rights, Section 10(9) – restrictions on the acquisition of land by non-citizens, Section 38(3) – in a conveyance for valuable consideration of an interest in land that is jointly acquired during the marriage, the spouses shall be deemed to be parties to the conveyance unless a contrary intention is expressed.
Section 38(4) – Presumption of trust if the conveyance is made to only one spouse.
He however reiterated that, though Act 1036 has introduced novel provisions to protect the poor and vulnerable, especially women in the acquisition and development of land in Ghana, the Land Act is gender-neutral.
The one-day workshop was successful and very educative.
END
COMMS UPDATE
