Accra: Professor Eugene K. M. Darteh of the Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, emphasized the necessity for cultural re-engineering in Ghana to alter societal norms and empower women to succeed in politics. He highlighted that overprotection of women and girls inhibits their development of critical skills, resulting in timidity, which impedes women's participation in politics.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof Darteh, a Professor of Social Dimension and Reproductive Health, made these remarks at the 2025 Rise Women Conference (RiWoCo) in Accra, organized by Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) Ghana. The conference, themed 'Beyond Declarations: Advancing Gender Equality and Inclusive Leadership for Transformative Governance,' is part of the EPL Co-Impact Women on the Rise Initiative, which collaborates with the Office of the Head of Civil Service to address gender barriers within public service.
Prof Darteh stressed the importance of providing opportunities for women to engage in debate and advocacy, suggesting that societal change requires allowing girls to socialize and interact with peers under guidance. He expressed concern over the low representation of women in Parliament and advocated for creating safe political seats for women and integrating gender education at the basic level to foster support for affirmative action.
Ms Juliet A. Amoah, Country Director of EPL Ghana, acknowledged the persisting inequalities despite progress since the Beijing Declaration. She emphasized the power of women in public service to transform communities and called for moving beyond declarations towards decisive actions and institutional accountability. She reiterated EPL's commitment to transformative leadership, particularly for women and young people.
Dr Evans Aggrey Darkoh, Head of Civil Service, in a speech delivered on his behalf, highlighted the central role of women in achieving inclusive governance and equitable opportunities. He noted the establishment of a Gender Diversity Task Force by the OHCS to integrate gender considerations in all its policies and programs. Dr Aggrey Darkoh affirmed the commitment to supporting gender equity and women's leadership at all levels within the civil service.
Emerging Public Leaders Ghana works collaboratively with government entities, local organizations, and communities to empower young Ghanaians with the requisite knowledge, skills, and networks to serve as effective change agents in the public sector.
