Ghana has renewed its call for greater inclusion of women and young people in political leadership across West Africa, urging regional governments to move beyond policy commitments and take decisive action to expand participation in governance.
Speaking at a regional consultation in Accra, Vice-President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang stressed that sustainable development and democratic stability in the sub-region depend on empowering all segments of society. She noted that despite progress in recent years, women and youth remain underrepresented in decision-making positions across many West African countries.
The four-day consultation, organized under the auspices of ECOWAS, brought together policymakers, civil society representatives and governance experts to assess existing frameworks aimed at improving political participation. Discussions focused on strengthening the implementation of regional gender and youth policies and identifying practical steps to bridge representation gaps.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang highlighted Ghana’s efforts to improve inclusivity, referencing the passage of the Affirmative Action Act and other national initiatives designed to increase women’s participation in public office. She also pointed to youth-focused programmes intended to enhance civic engagement and leadership development.
“Our region’s future cannot be secured if the majority of our population remains on the margins of political leadership,” she said, calling for deliberate reforms, capacity-building and stronger institutional support systems.
Echoing her remarks, Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized the need for concrete implementation of existing commitments. She encouraged member states to translate policy frameworks into measurable outcomes that expand access to leadership opportunities for women and young people.
The consultation concluded with participating countries reaffirming their commitment to inclusive governance as a cornerstone for peace, stability and development across West Africa. Organizers expressed optimism that renewed political will and stronger regional collaboration would accelerate progress toward more representative leadership structures in the years ahead.