Breaking Barriers: Women's Leadership in Ghana's Local Governance

In Ghana, the underrepresentation of women in local-level political decision-making has been a persistent challenge, with female candidates making up less than 4% in the 2019 district-level elections. Addressing this issue, the Governance for Inclusive Development programme, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ Ghana, launched a capacity-building initiative in October 2023. This initiative aimed to empower over 900 women aspirants, enhancing their campaigning, fundraising, and lobbying skills in preparation for the December 2023 district-level elections. As we mark this year's International Women's Day under the theme "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress," let's delve into the impactful stories of three successful candidates.

Hon. Faustina Agetara, now the assemblywoman for Gwenia electoral area, faced gender discrimination and discouragement after two unsuccessful attempts in previous years. Motivated by the training provided by the GIZ Ghana Governance program, she persevered, adopting new strategies learned during the workshops. Her determination led to victory in the 2023 district-level elections, and she now aims to address security concerns for women and improve basic infrastructure in her community.

Hon. Beatrice Kyei, a dedicated teacher from Kokofu, Ashanti Region, was re-elected for the third time to serve the people of the Gyingyinase Ahenbronom electoral area. Participating in the capacity-building program equipped her with improved communication skills and fundraising ideas, enhancing her campaigning effectiveness. An advocate for women's empowerment, Hon. Beatrice organized capacity-building initiatives for women in her district, emphasizing the importance of education and skills development for gender equality and community progress.

Hon. Charity Siame, endorsed by the residents of Adjei Kojo electoral area in the Tema West district, achieved a resounding victory in both the 2019 and 2023 district-level elections. With the highest number of votes in the Tema West district, Hon. Charity attributed her success to GIZ's training, which enhanced her capacities in innovative campaigning, election processes, and finance management. Her vision for Adjei Kojo includes addressing sanitation issues, establishing a community clinic, and improving infrastructure.

These impactful narratives intertwine with those of more than 900 women assembly aspirants who benefited from the GIZ Governance program's capacity-building initiative. By empowering women to position themselves as strong contenders for electoral office, the training contributed to a positive shift in the dynamics of local governance. Recognizing the importance of voter turnout, the district-level election initiative collaborated with the Ministry of Information to raise awareness and increase participation. The GIZ Ghana Governance program remains committed to fostering more inclusive, gender-responsive, and accountable government policies, ensuring increased political participation of women in the ongoing pursuit of transparent and effective governance.