Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called on African countries to fully enforce affirmative action policies to increase women’s participation in public office.

She made the call on the margins of the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York, where she delivered closing remarks at a side event organised by the Pan-African Parliament, AUDA-NEPAD, and the African Women Leaders Network at the Nelson Mandela Hall of the African Union Permanent Observer Mission.

The event was held under the theme “Strengthening Women’s Public and Parliamentary Leadership to Advance Justice, Laws and Accountable Governance in Africa.”

Dr Lartey expressed appreciation to the organisers for creating a platform to discuss women’s leadership on the continent, and praised ongoing efforts to promote gender equality.

She noted that many African countries have made progress through legal reforms and gender-responsive policies aimed at improving women’s representation in governance.

“These efforts align with the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063 and other global commitments to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment,” she said.

Highlighting Ghana’s progress, the Minister pointed to key measures introduced under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, including the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, and the National Gender Policy.

According to her, these policies are designed to address the continued underrepresentation of women in decision-making and ensure gender considerations are included across all sectors of development.

“These frameworks reflect Ghana’s conviction that transformative change requires both strong legal instruments and effective policy implementation,” she said.

She stressed that achieving real progress will depend on collaboration among governments, parliaments, civil society, traditional leaders, and development partners.

“They underscore the importance of collaboration… to address structural inequalities, empower women and girls, and promote equal participation in governance and economic development,” she added.

In her concluding remarks, Dr Lartey urged participants to focus on three key priorities when they return to their countries.

She called for stronger legal and institutional systems to guarantee women’s participation in political and public life, as well as deliberate efforts to remove barriers such as limited access to political financing, discriminatory social norms, and violence against women in politics.

She also stressed the need to invest in the next generation by expanding access to mentorship, education, and leadership opportunities for young women and girls across Africa.