She emphasised that the reset agenda was inherently a ‘gender agenda’ and reflected President John Dramani Mahama’s firm confidence in the capacity of women to lead. 

“The reset agenda is a gender agenda, and President Mahama has clearly demonstrated utmost confidence in the women’s leadership agenda.” 

Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo made the remarks at the 2nd Annual Conference for Women in Leadership in the Public Sector under the auspices of the Public Services Commission on the theme: “Breaking Barriers, Building Impact: Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Resetting Ghana Agenda”. 

She called for critical reflection on progress in breaking barriers and building impact for women, particularly within the public sector which was the centre of governance.  

Data from the Public Services Commission show that women currently occupy 26 percent of managerial positions in the public sector.  

Although the judiciary had recorded three consecutive female Chief Justices, currently, there are four women out of 19 Justices at the Supreme Court, representing approximately 21 percent. 

She indicated that women accounted for 23.21 percent in political appointments and government was working towards meeting the statutory thresholds under the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act, which stipulated 30 percent female representation by 2026, 35 percent by 2028 and 50 percent by 2030. 

“These targets are not merely symbolic; they are a national obligation,” she emphasised. 

She mentioned the appointments of Madam Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong as the first female Chief Fire Officer, Madam Patience Baffoe-Bonnie as head of the Ghana Prisons Service, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman’s nomination as the first female Vice President and others as clear evidence that the Reset Agenda was producing measurable change rather than symbolic commitments. 

The Deputy Chief of Staff and human rights lawyer urged women to embrace personal leadership, stressing that leadership was defined not by title but by impact and service. 

She also encouraged transformational leadership, calling on women to inspire institutions and build legacies that would outlive their tenure. 

The Women in Leadership Conference is part of the PSC commitments to promote excellence in governance and advancing gender mainstreaming in the public sector. 

Participants were drawn from women in positions such as Chief directors, Chief executive officers, directors, managers, and analogous grades in the public sector.