A private member’s bill has been introduced in Parliament, proposing an amendment to extend maternity leave in Ghana from three months to four months. The bill aims to amend the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and suggests an additional two weeks of maternity leave in the case of a caesarean section (CS), stillbirth(s), or multiple births.
This legislation, known as the Labour (Amendment) Bill, 2023, also advocates for the introduction of paid paternity leave for men, with a minimum of seven days and a maximum of four weeks, offering an additional two weeks in the case of caesarean sections, stillbirth(s), or multiple deliveries of a spouse.
The bill referred to as “parental leave for all,” is designed to give new mothers more time for childbirth, exclusive breastfeeding, caring for their newborns, bonding with their babies, and recovering before returning to work. It also aims to enable men to take care of their wives and assist new mothers with domestic responsibilities.
Francis-Xavier Sosu, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) representing Madina, is sponsoring the bill.
The bill’s memorandum highlights the need for extended maternity leave to support exclusive breastfeeding and maternal recovery. It also acknowledges the current maternal mortality rate in Ghana and the importance of enhancing maternity leave to promote women’s well-being.
Speaking to Daily Graphic’s Nana Konadu Agyeman, Mr Sosu said the bill addresses the absence of specific provisions in Ghana’s labour law to support women who experience pregnancy or baby loss, emphasizing the necessity for compassionate support during vulnerable times. It also discusses the debate surrounding a woman’s entitlement to maternity leave in cases of stillbirth or baby loss.
“As a result, the WHO recommends that pushing maternity leave to six months to allow for exclusive breastfeeding should be a priority, an assessment agreed to by the Ghana Medical Association.”
“Thus, the purpose of maternity leave is to give new mothers adequate time to give birth, recover, care for and bond with their new baby before returning to work as the period of exclusive breastfeeding is important in ensuring that mothers can provide their children with adequate care,” he said.
“It stipulates that ‘Maternity leave can be extended by a minimum of two extra weeks in cases of abnormal confinement or when two or more babies are born during the same confinement’.
“However, the law remains silent on the situation of women who unfortunately lose their babies during pregnancy or delivery,” he said.
“This issue has sparked debates that delve into the fundamental purpose of maternity leave, questioning whether or not they are tied exclusively to the presence of a baby and not necessarily to the mother.
“Indeed, while some argue that the absence of a living baby negates the need for statutory maternity leave, others assert that the act of childbirth alone warrants the full duration of maternity leave for mourning and healing, regardless of the baby’s survival duration,” he argued.
In addition to maternity leave, the bill emphasizes the importance of paternity leave for fathers to bond with their newborns. It references a study indicating that many countries around the world offer statutory paid paternity leave and underscores the significance of allowing both parents to welcome and bond with their new family members.
