Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for renewed efforts to enhance the participation of women and young people in governance across West Africa, stressing that inclusive leadership is critical to the region’s democratic and development agenda. She made this appeal at the closing ceremony of the ECOWAS Regional Consultation on Political Participation and Leadership of Women and Youth in West Africa, held in Accra.
According to GHOne News, Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that West Africa has adopted key instruments such as the ECOWAS Gender Policy and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance to promote democratic inclusion and gender equality. However, she noted that despite these frameworks, women and youth remain significantly underrepresented in political and decision-making spaces across many member states.
The Vice President highlighted Ghana’s efforts, referencing the passage of the Affirmative Action Act as a landmark step toward improving women’s representation in governance. She pointed out that women currently hold strategic positions across ministerial, parliamentary, judicial, and local government institutions, demonstrating Ghana’s commitment to inclusive leadership.
Opoku-Agyemang also emphasized initiatives aimed at empowering young people, including programs led by the Ministry of Youth Development and the National Youth Authority, which have expanded youth engagement in civic education, policy dialogue, and national decision-making processes. She stressed that inclusion should not be symbolic but treated as a strategic necessity for democratic consolidation and sustainable development in the region.
The ECOWAS Commission Vice President, Damtien Tchintchibidja, reiterated the Commission’s dedication to supporting member states in expanding opportunities for women and youth in governance. She highlighted the need for equitable access to resources, effective monitoring and evaluation systems, and sustained efforts to address socio-cultural barriers that hinder participation.
As the region looks to accelerate progress towards inclusive governance, Opoku-Agyemang’s call to action serves as a reminder of the importance of collective efforts in promoting women and youth leadership in West Africa.
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Author: Korkor Anumu
