Accra, June 6, GNA – A project to strengthen women’s capacities for effective participation and representation in Ghana’s local governance system is unveiled, in Accra.
This marks the formal commencement of a strategic two-year effort to close the persistent gap in women’s representation in Ghana’s district assemblies.
The project seeks to identify, build capacities and mobilize support for women and those with disabilities in three districts in Ghana, towards the 2027 district level elections.
These districts are West Akyem, Adansi Asokwa and Ledzokuku-Krowor in the Eastern, Ashanti and Greater Accra regions, respectively.
The Abantu for Development in partnership with Plan International Ghana’s Renewed Women’s Voices and Leadership (RWVL) project and the Global Affairs Canada are spearheading this project.
Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, noted that deliberations were ongoing to ensure that the provisions of achieving gender parity in all sectors under the Affirmative Action law were prioritised.
She described the project as a critical intervention which aligned with national efforts to achieve gender balance across the governance sector.
She reiterated President Mahama’s commitment towards women’s empowerment, representation, and willingness to support interventions backed by the Affirmative Action law.
Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin, Executive Director, Abantu for Development, noted that inspite of efforts over the years, women’s representation and “voices in local governance still remain muted”.
She hoped that with the backing of the Affirmative Action law, the project’s objective would be realised by pushing more women into local governance in the upcoming district and local level elections.
Madam Christiana Appiah, an assembly member at Lower West Akyem District, recalled the immense support from Abantu and other allied organizations which pushed her to the assembly.
She hoped that with the project intervention more women would participate and win as well whiles the few retained in the next local and district level elections in 2027.
Following the 2023 district assembly and local level elections, women’s representation stood at 4.1 percent, meanwhile, the Affirmative Action and Gender Equity law commits the state to a progressive achievement of 30 percent women’s representation including appointments to the district assemblies.
It is against this backdrop that Abantu for Development, host of the Affirmative Action law Coalition, and its partners were implementing the project in the lead-up to the 2027 district assembly elections.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Bertha Badu-Agyei