The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Government of Ghana, and various development partners have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, gender equality, and women's empowerment across West Africa. This pledge was made at the 2026 ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) Annual Briefing and Information Sharing Session held in Accra.
The partners specifically pledged to deepen their collaboration. This aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development throughout the region. They will achieve this through stronger institutions, improved coordination, and policymaking based on solid evidence. The Accra meeting reviewed the EGDC's achievements from 2022 to 2026 and outlined its strategic priorities for the 2026-2030 period.
This commitment aligns with broader regional and national efforts to address persistent gender inequalities. Despite progress in areas like women's leadership and entrepreneurship, significant challenges remain. These include limited institutional capacity, weak coordination mechanisms, and inadequate financial resources. Addressing these issues is crucial for West Africa's economic and social development, as empowered women contribute significantly to national GDPs and poverty reduction.
Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, commended Ghana for hosting the meeting. He reaffirmed the ECOWAS Commission’s dedication to advancing gender equality in the sub-region. Ambassador Gana stated that the meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration among member states. It also sought to build the capacity of national gender focal persons. This will help them implement regional gender policies and programmes effectively.
Madam Valerie Arikpo-Ettah, Technical Advisor for the Women, Youth, Peace and Security component of the GIZ-ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance Project, reinforced GIZ’s commitment. She emphasized that investing in women and girls is a moral obligation. It is also a strategic investment for sustainable development, resilience, and inclusive economic growth. Madam Arikpo-Ettah stressed the importance of reliable data and timely reporting for evidence-based policymaking.
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Ghana's Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, highlighted Ghana's significant legislative steps. In a statement read on her behalf, she mentioned the implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, 2024. This Act mandates 30% female representation by 2026, 35% by 2028, and gender parity by 2034. Ghana also launched its revised National Gender Policy for 2025-2034.
The Minister further detailed Ghana's efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage, and human trafficking. These efforts include the Social Protection Act, 2025, and the expansion of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme. Ghana has also introduced free primary healthcare and established the Women’s Development Bank. These initiatives aim to promote women's economic empowerment and ensure their full participation in the economy.
The renewed commitment from ECOWAS and its partners signals a concerted effort to accelerate progress on gender equality. Future actions will likely focus on implementing the outlined strategic priorities for 2026-2030. This will involve enhanced funding, improved data collection through the ECOWAS Gender Observatory, and stronger cross-border partnerships. The success of these initiatives will be critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal Five and the ECOWAS 2026-2030 Strategic Agenda.