A Ministerial High-Level Meeting under the Regional Consultation on Political Participation and Leadership of Women and Youth in West Africa was held on 19th February 2026 as part of a four-day regional engagement hosted by the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre.
The event, which commenced on 17th February, forms part of the ECOWAS Anniversary Legacy Project aimed at advancing gender parity and inclusive governance across Member States.
Welcoming participants, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the consultation as timely and critical to strengthening gender inclusion efforts within the sub-region.
She noted that although women and youth constitute the majority of West Africa’s population and continue to drive innovation, resilience, and development, their representation in political leadership and decision-making institutions remains limited.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government of Ghana’s commitment to promoting gender equality and youth empowerment in line with international and regional frameworks. She highlighted key national interventions such as the Government’s Reset Agenda, the enactment of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, and the ongoing review of the National Gender and Youth Policies as deliberate steps to address structural, institutional, and socio-cultural barriers that hinder the full participation of women and young people in governance.
The Chair of ECOWAS Ministers responsible for Gender, Madam Isata Mahoi, described the consultation as a call to action to dismantle legal, cultural, and institutional barriers; strengthen affirmative action and electoral reforms; and promote mentorship and leadership opportunities that will position women and young people as key architects of the region’s democratic future.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared responsibility of Member States to translate commitments into concrete national actions that promote inclusive governance, democratic resilience, and sustainable development in West Africa.
