Former President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, has promised to introduce a one-week paternity leave for married men if elected in the December 2024 elections.
Speaking at the launch of the NDC Women’s Manifesto in Kumasi on Monday, Mahama also revealed plans to extend maternity leave from three to four months, allowing mothers more time to care for their newborns.
Mahama emphasized that the proposed paternity leave would ensure that both parents are involved in the early stages of childcare, which is crucial for a newborn’s development. He clarified, however, that the paternity leave would only apply to legally married men who can provide proof of their marital status.
“Whereas the mother gets four months maternity leave, the father of the child will also get a paternity leave of up to a week for you, as a father to take care of the mother and the child”, Mahama explained.
“But as a man, you must provide evidence that the woman is your wife. You will enjoy that if the woman is your legally married wife”, he added.
