Adwoa Safo calls for a review of Ghana’s National Pledge; says omitting mothers in pledge is gender-insensitive

In a bold move towards gender inclusivity, Sarah Adwoa Safo, member of parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya constituency has called for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s National Pledge.

 She argues that the current rendition of the pledge, which makes no explicit mention of mothers, is inherently gender-insensitive and fails to recognize the crucial role women play in the nation’s development.

The National Pledge is a symbolic expression of allegiance and commitment to Ghana’s progress, recited by citizens across various platforms. Adwoa Safo contends that the omission of mothers overlooks their significant contributions to the fabric of society, undermining the principle of equality that Ghana aspires to uphold.

 The popular lawmaker emphasized that the “through the toils of our fathers” in the National Pledge without mentioning mothers underplays the role women played in Ghana’s independence struggle. She further described the omission as gender-insensitive and charged Parliament and the relevant stakeholders to take a look at it and make the necessary amendments if needed.

“The National Pledge talks about ‘through the blood and toils of our fathers’ and omits mothers, but the mothers also toiled for this country, and I think it is gender-insensitive. Even when we are making a reference to the country, we call it our motherland, but when it comes to the National Pledge, and we are referring to the struggles and toils, we omit our mothers, and I want to draw your attention to it so we look at it as a country so that we become more gender-sensitive when it comes to our National Pledge.”

Adwoa Safo raised the concern on the back of the implementation of a new provision that requires parliamentarians to recite the National Pledge before each session commences.