The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey participated – as a Special Guest of Honour – at the Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA) International Festival 2026 held at the Cedi Conference Centre of the University of Ghana, Legon, under the theme: ” Empowering Women for the Economic Sustainability of Africa.”
The festival brought together women leaders, policymakers, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, coporate institutions and sustainability advocates to deliberate on strategies aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment and promoting sustainable development across Africa.
The platform also highlighted the critical role women continue to play in driving inclusive growth and social transformation on the continent.
Addressing participants at the event, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey commended the organizers, particularly Women in Sustainability Africa and its partners for convening what she described as timely and strategic dialogue of regional and national importance.
She noted that the festival was not only a celebration of the achievements of African women, but also a call to action for stakeholders to accelerate investments, strengthen policies and deepen partnerships that place women at the centre of Africa’s sustainable development agenda.
The Minister further emphasised Government’s commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment and inclusive development, noting that empowering women remains a key pillar in reducing poverty and promoting national growth.
She also highlighted some of Government’s social protection interventions aimed at improving the livelihoods of vulnerable households, particularly women and children. She noted that programmes such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) initiative continue to provide critical support to vulnerable persons across the country while contributing to poverty reduction and social inclusion.
According to her, such interventions remain essential in promoting economic resilience and empowering women to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey further pointed to the significance of Ghana’s current leadership, describing the election of the country’s first female Vice President as a strong symbol of hope and commitment towards women’s advancement and participation in leadership.
Earlier, the Minister extended her best wishes to candidates sitting for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), urging them to remain focused, disciplined and committed throughout the examination period. She encouraged the candidates to avoid distractions and concentrate on their studies while appealing to parents and guardians to support them by reducing their involvement in domestic chores and other activities that could affect their preparation, stressing that collective support was essential to ensuring their success.
