In solidarity with the global community, the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) commemorates International Women's Day, March 8, 2025, under the urgent call to 'Accelerate Action'. As an organization dedicated to advancing human security, FOSDA champions the cause of Accelerating Action for the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Ghana.
Today, we are reminded of the indispensable role of women as drivers of peace, champions of security, and architects of sustainable development, whose empowerment is essential to building a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient Ghana.
Insights from FOSDA's Monitoring of GHANAP 2 Implementation
FOSDA has been at the forefront of monitoring the implementation of Ghana's National Action Plan II (GHANAP 2) on United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. Our Phase One monitoring report revealed that between 2020 and 2023, only 20.84% of GHANAP 2's outlined activities had been implemented. While there has been progress in increasing women's representation within security institutions such as the Ghana Prisons Service, the Ghana Immigration Service and Ghana National Fire Service, significant gaps remain—including limited awareness of UNSCR 1325 among security personnel which hampers effective implementation; and the absence of gender policies in some of the key institutions.
Currently, FOSDA is conducting a Phase Two monitoring exercise, which aims to uncover deeper insights into these challenges and propose actionable solutions to accelerate implementation. This ongoing work underscores our commitment to ensuring that women are fully integrated into peacebuilding processes and decision-making roles.
Affirmative Action Act: Advancing Human Security through Gender Equality
The passage of Ghana's Affirmative Action Act in August 2024 represents a landmark step toward achieving gender equality—a fundamental pillar for human security. By mandating gender parity in decision-making spaces and requiring political parties to adopt gender-responsive measures, this legislation directly contributes to building inclusive systems that foster peace and stability.
It also introduces gender-responsive budgeting to address systemic inequalities. However, we must now focus on its full implementation to ensure that its promises translate into tangible benefits for women across all sectors.
Human security thrives when women are empowered to lead, participate, and influence decisions that affect national development. The Affirmative Action Act aligns perfectly with the Women, Peace, and Security agenda by addressing systemic inequalities that hinder women's involvement in governance and conflict resolution. Its implementation must be prioritized to ensure that women are not only beneficiaries but also active agents of change in advancing peace and security across Ghana.
Statistics That Inspire Change
Despite these legislative milestone .i.e. GHANAP 2 and the Affirmative Action Act, women remain underrepresented in critical leadership roles. For example, as of today, only 40 out of 275 parliamentarians in Ghana are women—a mere 14.5%, far below parity. Similarly, FOSDA's monitoring revealed that women hold less than 30% of leadership positions within key security institutions.
These statistics highlight the urgency of accelerating efforts to close the gender gap and achieve meaningful representation across all sectors.
Calls to Action
To advance the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in Ghana, FOSDA calls on all stakeholders—government agencies, civil society organizations, private entities, and individuals—to take bold steps toward achieving equality:
Strengthen Implementation of GHANAP 2: Allocate adequate funding and resources to ensure its outlined activities are fully executed by 2030.
Raise Awareness: Conduct nationwide education campaigns on UNSCR 1325 and GHANAP 2 to enhance understanding among security personnel and local communities.
Enforce Affirmative Action Commitments: Establish accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance with gender parity mandates across all sectors.
Invest in Women Leaders: Provide mentorship programs and leadership training for women aspiring to roles in governance and peacebuilding processes.
Conclusion
As we celebrate International Women's Day 2025, let us reaffirm our commitment to accelerating action for women's empowerment in peace and security emboldening them as drivers of peace, security, and development. The time for action is now—let us work together to transform commitments into concrete achievements that benefit all Ghanaians. By accelerating action for gender equality today, we can build a safer, more inclusive tomorrow.
