<p>Ghana's Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act 2024 (Act 1121) represents a significant legislative step towards gender parity. It imposes obligations on public and private institutions to ensure equitable gender representation and access to resources and opportunities across all sectors of society. The Act sets out specific strategies to promote gender equality in higher education, including preferential admission measures for female applicants. However, this paper argues that such measures fall short of the Act’s broader vision of achieving gender equity through substantive equality. By critically analysing the legal framework, this paper identifies key strengths and limitations of the Act and proposes reforms aimed at advancing its effectiveness in achieving gender equity. The analysis contributes to national and international debates about the legitimacy and effectiveness of affirmative action in achieving structural change within higher education systems.</p>