STAR-Ghana Foundation is raising alarm over what it calls a glaring gender imbalance in the newly reconstituted National Peace Council.

The foundation says only three of the 13 members are women—a 23% representation that falls short of the 30% minimum required under Ghana’s Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024.

“You can’t build peace with half the population left behind,” the Foundation warned in a statement signed by Head of Programmes, Eunice Racheal Agbenyadzi.

The National Peace Council, established by Act 818 in 2011, is mandated to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts while building lasting peace.

STAR-Ghana says the lack of gender balance threatens the Council’s effectiveness and undermines Ghana’s commitments to global peacebuilding frameworks.

“This gender imbalance not only marginalises women’s voices in governance,” the statement said, “but also undermines Ghana’s commitments to international frameworks such as UN Security Council Resolution 1325.”

The group acknowledged that the current three women represent the highest female presence since the Council was created. But it says that’s still not good enough.

“It still falls short of the threshold established under the Affirmative Action Act and international guidelines,” the group noted.

Evidence from around the world shows why gender balance matters in peacebuilding. According to UN Women, peace agreements are 35% more likely to last at least 15 years when women are involved.

The World Bank says women’s participation improves post-conflict recovery, and Oxfam credits women-led peace committees in Liberia with significant national healing efforts.

STAR-Ghana also pointed out that while the presidency and Council of State have made progress on gender representation, the National Peace Council lags, despite being a key institution for national security and stability.

As the Council moves to form Regional Peace Councils across the country, the Foundation is calling for urgent corrective action.

“Deliberate efforts must be made to meet the minimum threshold of 30% women’s representation in public governance,” the statement urged.

It also wants youth representation included, arguing that young people are both active players in conflict and a huge part of Ghana’s population.

“Women and youth must be actively involved in conflict prevention and resolution processes at the regional level,” STAR-Ghana stressed.

For the Foundation, this is not just a numbers issue. It’s about building peace that lasts. “Ghana cannot afford to build peace with half its population left behind,” it said. “The time to act is now.”