Ghana Hosts High-Level Ministerial Assembly on Women and Youth Political Participation

Introduction

Ghana has positioned itself at the forefront of advancing gender equality and youth inclusion in West African governance by hosting a high-level ministerial assembly focused on increasing political participation among women and young people. This landmark event, held from February 17 to 19, 2026, brought together regional leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to address persistent barriers to inclusive representation and chart practical pathways toward more equitable political systems across the sub-region.

Key Points

Background

The Regional Consultation on Political Participation and Leadership of Women and Youth in West Africa represents a critical intervention in addressing the democratic deficit that continues to marginalize significant portions of the population in governance structures. Despite women and youth comprising the majority of West Africa’s population and driving economic development across various sectors, their representation in formal political institutions remains disproportionately low.

This assembly emerged from the ECOWAS Anniversary Legacy Project, an initiative designed to commemorate regional milestones while establishing sustainable frameworks for gender equality and inclusive governance. The Government of Ghana, through its Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, collaborated with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre to host this four-day engagement, demonstrating the country’s leadership role in regional gender and youth empowerment efforts.

The timing of this consultation proves particularly significant as West African nations continue to grapple with challenges including political instability, economic disparities, and social inequalities that disproportionately affect women and young people. By focusing specifically on political participation and leadership, the assembly addresses fundamental questions about who holds power, who makes decisions, and whose voices shape the future of the region.

Analysis

The assembly’s focus on practical strategies for increasing women and youth representation reflects a growing recognition that rhetorical commitments to gender equality must translate into tangible policy interventions and institutional reforms. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, articulated this imperative by emphasizing that while women and youth constitute the majority of West Africa’s population and drive economic activity across multiple sectors, their presence in governance structures remains “disproportionately low.”

This observation points to a fundamental democratic deficit that undermines both the legitimacy of political institutions and the effectiveness of governance itself. Research consistently demonstrates that diverse leadership produces better policy outcomes, more representative decision-making, and stronger institutional performance. The assembly’s emphasis on moving beyond symbolic inclusion to substantive participation represents a sophisticated understanding of these dynamics.

The identification of structural and socio-cultural barriers to inclusive participation reveals the complexity of the challenge at hand. These barriers include discriminatory legal frameworks, patriarchal cultural norms, limited access to education and economic resources, and political party structures that systematically exclude women and young people from leadership positions. The assembly’s focus on dismantling these barriers through targeted measures such as the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act and the ongoing review of National Gender and Youth Policies demonstrates a comprehensive approach to addressing root causes rather than merely treating symptoms.

Isata Mahoi, Chair of ECOWAS Ministers responsible for Gender, characterized the session as a “decisive call to action,” emphasizing the urgency of translating regional commitments into national implementation. This framing acknowledges that previous declarations and frameworks, while important, have often failed to produce meaningful change on the ground. The emphasis on electoral reforms, mentorship opportunities, and strengthened affirmative action policies suggests a recognition that sustainable change requires both institutional transformation and individual empowerment.

The assembly’s outcomes reflect an understanding that inclusive governance is not merely a matter of social justice but a prerequisite for sustainable development, democratic stability, and economic prosperity. By positioning women and youth at the forefront of democratic leadership, West African nations can harness the full potential of their populations and build more resilient, responsive, and effective governance systems.

Practical Advice

For policymakers and stakeholders seeking to advance women and youth political participation following this assembly, several practical strategies emerge from the discussions and commitments made during the event.

First, countries should prioritize the implementation and enforcement of affirmative action policies that create concrete pathways for women and youth to enter political leadership. This includes not only quota systems but also measures to ensure that reserved positions translate into meaningful influence and decision-making power. Electoral reforms that address campaign financing, party nomination processes, and voting systems can help level the playing field for underrepresented groups.

Second, investment in mentorship and leadership development programs is essential for building the capacity and confidence of potential women and youth leaders. These programs should provide not only technical skills in governance and policy-making but also networking opportunities, exposure to experienced leaders, and support systems that help navigate the challenges of political leadership.

Third, addressing socio-cultural barriers requires sustained public education campaigns that challenge discriminatory norms and promote positive narratives about women’s and youth leadership. This includes engaging traditional and religious leaders, media outlets, and educational institutions in promoting gender equality and intergenerational inclusion as core democratic values.

Fourth, establishing robust monitoring and accountability mechanisms ensures that commitments to inclusive governance translate into measurable outcomes. This includes regular reporting on progress toward gender and youth representation targets, independent assessments of implementation effectiveness, and mechanisms for citizen feedback and engagement.

Finally, regional cooperation and knowledge sharing can accelerate progress by allowing countries to learn from each other’s successes and challenges. The ECOWAS framework provides an important platform for this collaboration, but sustained engagement requires ongoing commitment from national governments, civil society organizations, and development partners.

FAQ

Conclusion

The high-level ministerial assembly hosted by Ghana represents a significant milestone in West Africa’s journey toward more inclusive and representative governance. By bringing together regional leaders to address the persistent underrepresentation of women and youth in political leadership, the event has created momentum for concrete action that could transform democratic institutions across the sub-region.

The commitments made during the assembly, including strengthened affirmative action policies, electoral reforms, and expanded mentorship programs, provide a roadmap for translating rhetorical commitments to gender equality into tangible outcomes. However, the true measure of success will be whether these commitments translate into meaningful change in the daily lives of women and young people across West Africa.

As countries move forward with implementing the recommendations from this assembly, sustained political will, adequate resource allocation, and robust accountability mechanisms will be essential. The ECOWAS framework provides an important platform for regional cooperation, but national governments must take primary responsibility for driving change within their own contexts.

The assembly’s emphasis on practical strategies rather than abstract principles reflects a mature understanding of the challenges involved in achieving inclusive governance. By addressing both structural barriers and socio-cultural norms, and by focusing on both institutional reforms and individual empowerment, the recommendations provide a comprehensive approach to building more democratic, responsive, and effective governance systems across West Africa.