By Diana Adjei
Ghana hosted a four-day Regional Consultation on Political Participation and Leadership of Women and Youth in West Africa in Accra.
The programme, which began yesterday, February 17, 2026, is continuing today and will run until 20th February, 2026. It is being organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre.
The consultation forms part of activities marking the 50th Anniversary Legacy Project of the Economic Community of West African States, aimed at promoting gender equality and inclusive leadership across Member States.
The regional engagement has brought together representatives from key government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and technical experts from across the West African sub-region. Participants are assessing the state of women and youth participation in political leadership and decision-making processes.
Technical sessions scheduled for 17th and 18th February are examining structural and socio-cultural barriers that hinder participation. The discussions are also reviewing legal and policy frameworks and proposing practical strategies to advance inclusive governance.
A Ministerial Meeting on 19th February is expected to validate recommendations toward legislative and institutional reforms to strengthen gender parity in elected bodies.
The consultation will end on 20th February with a High-Level Advocacy Dialogue aimed at consolidating political commitment toward a regional declaration and a model framework to guide Member States.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, conveyed goodwill messages from the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama, and the Sector Minister, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.
The statement noted that although women and young people constitute a significant proportion of the region’s population and contribute immensely to innovation and development, their representation in political leadership remains limited.
Dr. Zakariah reaffirmed Government’s commitment to advancing gender equality and youth empowerment in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the ECOWAS Gender Policy.
She highlighted key national interventions including the passage of the Affirmative Action Act, 2024, the ongoing review of the National Gender Policy, and the implementation of the National Youth Policy, all aimed at expanding opportunities for women and young people in decision-making spaces.
Also speaking at the consultation, Sandra Oulaté Fattoh, Director of the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development, described the meeting as significant within the bloc’s 50th anniversary agenda.
She stressed that despite women and youth forming the majority of the region’s population, their political representation remains low and requires stronger regional frameworks and legislative measures to accelerate gender parity and broaden youth participation in governance.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com
