A High-Level Ministerial Meeting under the Regional Consultation on Political Participation and Leadership of Women and Youth in West Africa was held on February 19, 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 programme, which began on February 17, forms part of the ECOWAS Anniversary Legacy Project aimed at promoting gender parity and inclusive governance across Member States.

The engagement brought together ministers and key stakeholders to deliberate on practical strategies to increase women and youth representation in political leadership and decision-making processes across the sub-region.

Welcoming participants, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the consultation as both timely and necessary.

She observed that although women and youth make up the majority of West Africa’s population and continue to drive innovation and development, their presence in governance structures remains disproportionately low.

Dr Lartey reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to advancing gender equality and youth empowerment in line with regional and international frameworks.

She highlighted national initiatives such as the Reset Agenda, the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, and the ongoing review of the National Gender and Youth Policies as targeted measures to dismantle structural and socio-cultural barriers to inclusive participation.

Chair of ECOWAS Ministers responsible for Gender, Isata Mahoi, described the consultation as a decisive call to action.

She urged Member States to strengthen affirmative action policies, pursue electoral reforms, and expand mentorship opportunities to position women and young people at the forefront of democratic leadership.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to translate regional pledges into concrete national actions that foster inclusive governance and sustainable development across West Africa.