Accra: The Department of Gender, in collaboration with stakeholders, is refining the Draft National Framework for Coordination of Gender Equality for subsequent approval. An executive summary of the draft framework notes that while Ghana had made significant progress in coordinating social protection interventions across multiple governance levels, mechanisms for gender equality coordination remained underdeveloped, and in some cases non-existent.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Faustina Acheampong, Director of the Department of Gender under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said the Ministry had the mandate to facilitate the mainstreaming of gender concerns into national development through coordinated programmes, initiatives, and interventions. 'It is in pursuit of this mandate that the UNFPA, in 2024, supported the Department to draft a National Framework for Coordination of Gender Equality,' she said.
She added that the validation workshop was evidence of stakeholders' commitment to advancing Ghana's gender agenda through collaboration in programming and advocacy. Madam Acheampong noted that the framework directly responded to the long-standing need for cohesive national synergies to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders in promoting gender equality. It would also ensure that interventions were harmonised, strategic, and impactful, while avoiding duplication of efforts.
Dr David Wilfred Ochan, UNFPA Country Representative, commended Ghana for making notable progress in gender justice, particularly the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act in 2024 and the historic election of the country's first female Vice President. 'These are major milestones that underscore Ghana's strong commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls,' he said in a statement read on his behalf.
Dr Ochan added that effective coordination in the gender sector would consolidate the gains made by providing a clear roadmap for harmonised and coherent partnerships across institutions. He reiterated UNFPA's pride in supporting the Ministry in developing the coordination framework. 'Our vision is clear: this Framework should serve as a living tool, enabling inclusive planning, responsive programming, and accountability across sectors,' he said.
The proposed coordination architecture focuses specifically on addressing the unique challenges of gender equality while leveraging synergies with the existing social protection framework. Through enhanced information sharing and reporting, both frameworks would align on a common platform situated at the apex of the national gender equality coordination structure.
