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Ghana is hosting a four-day Regional Consultation on Political Participation and Leadership of Women and Youth in West Africa from 17th to 20th February 2026 in Accra, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive governance across the sub-region.
The consultation is being organized by the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC). The engagement forms part of activities under the 50th Anniversary Legacy Project of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aimed at promoting gender parity and inclusive leadership within Member States.
The regional meeting has brought together representatives from key government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and technical experts from across West Africa. Participants are assessing the current state of women and youth participation in political leadership and decision-making processes.
Technical sessions scheduled from 17th to 18th February are focusing on identifying structural and socio-cultural barriers, reviewing existing legal and policy frameworks, and proposing actionable strategies to strengthen inclusive governance. A Ministerial Meeting on 19th February is expected to validate key recommendations toward legislative and institutional reforms that will enhance gender parity in elected bodies.
The consultation will conclude with a High-Level Advocacy Dialogue on 20th February, aimed at consolidating political commitment toward a regional declaration and model framework to guide Member States in advancing women and youth representation.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Chief Director Dr. Afisah Zakariah conveyed goodwill from the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama, and the sector Minister, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey. The statement emphasized that although women and youth make up a significant proportion of the region’s population and contribute substantially to innovation and development, their representation in political leadership remains limited.
Government reaffirmed its 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. Key national interventions highlighted include the passage of the Affirmative Action Act, 2024, the ongoing review of the National Gender Policy, and the implementation of the National Youth Policy to position young people as active partners in governance while expanding opportunities for women and other under-represented groups in decision-making spaces.
Also addressing participants, Sandra Oulaté Fattoh, Director of the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development, underscored the importance of the consultation within ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary legacy agenda. She noted that despite women and youth forming the majority of the region’s population, their political representation remains low, requiring stronger regional frameworks and legislative measures to accelerate gender parity and broaden youth participation in governance.
The regional consultation is expected to set the stage for renewed advocacy, stronger political will, and practical reforms to ensure that leadership across West Africa reflects the diversity and dynamism of its people.
