Gender Minister calls for renewed commitment to boost women’s leadership
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called for a renewed national commitment to increasing women’s participation in leadership, particularly in politics and academia.
Speaking at the She Builds Conference organised by The Academic Woman Foundation in Accra on Wednesday, 10 September, the Minister paid tribute to the historic leadership of Ghana’s first female Vice President, Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
She described Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s rise to high office as a powerful inspiration for women and girls across the country.
“Her being in this position serves as a beacon of hope for many young girls coming up, especially for those of us in politics and academia,” she said.
However, Naa Momo Lartey expressed concern about the slow pace of progress in bridging gender gaps, noting the sharp contrast between Ghana’s female population and their representation in political decision-making.
“Women make up 52 per cent of Ghana’s population, yet less than 15 per cent of parliamentary seats are occupied by women. Progress is uneven, and we must be honest with ourselves,” she stressed.
The She Builds Conference brought together female scholars, policymakers and advocates to discuss barriers to gender equality and explore sustainable solutions for strengthening women’s leadership in academia and beyond.
