The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged African governments and partners across West Africa to take practical steps to ensure that women and young people are fully represented in political life.

“Evidence across our member states shows that women and young people remain under-represented in political leadership and decision-making processes, particularly at the national and local levels,” she said.

Speaking at the regional consultation on political participation and leadership of women and young people in West Africa in Accra, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang acknowledged that West Africa had made “important, innovative commitments”, although progress on paper had not yet translated into full representation in practice.

She called on stakeholders to enhance resources that supported accountability, equal opportunity, and the meaningful political involvement of women and youth.

“Women and youth across the sub-region possess the talent and are ready to increase their capacity,” she said.

The Vice-President stressed that the region’s future prosperity depended on harnessing the leadership potential of all citizens.

“It would be to our own detriment if we excluded women and young people,” she said.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to continue investing deliberately in leadership development, mentorship, and capacity-building programmes for women and young people, particularly at the grass-roots level.

“Empowerment is most sustainable when it equips people with skills, confidence, and networks to lead not only in moments of opportunity but over the long term,” she added.

The four-day regional consultation, which ran from February 17 to 20, was organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre.

It formed part of the ECOWAS legacy project on gender parity in elected bodies in ECOWAS member states (2025-2035).

It aimed to advance the political participation and leadership of women and young people across West Africa.

The meeting brought together policymakers, gender ministers, youth leaders and development partners from across the sub-region to assess progress, identify persistent barriers, and develop practical recommendations to strengthen inclusive governance.

The meeting coincided with the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, founded on May 28, 1975, to deepen human, economic, social and cultural integration in the sub-region.

Efforts

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the passage of the country’s Affirmative Action Act as a major milestone in promoting women’s leadership in public life.

She added that the administration had set a benchmark by appointing women to significant leadership roles across major sectors.

“Under President Mahama’s leadership, gender equity remains a key governance priority,” she said.

The Vice-President added that the government, through the Ministry of Youth Development and the National Youth Authority, had established platforms to amplify young voices in governance.

Gap

The Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja, called for practical action to close the persistent gender gap in political leadership across West Africa, stressing that the region must move beyond strong policy commitments to measurable results.

She said the Legacy Parity Initiative was designed specifically to address structural barriers and ensure lasting — not temporary — progress.

“The initiative responds directly to the structural gaps we have identified. It is designed not to produce temporary gains, but to institutionalise lasting inclusion,” she said.

Commendation

The Chair of the ECOWAS Ministers responsible for Gender during the regional consultation and the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs of Sierra Leone, Isata Mahoi, commended Ghana’s government and Gender Minister for facilitating dialogue among ministers from 12 ECOWAS member states.

She emphasised the importance of partnerships, adding that governments alone could not deliver the desired transformation.

“Civil society is very important.

The richness in what we do in Africa is also very critical.

This is why it is good to work together to bridge the gap between our people and us,” she added.