Africa-Press – Ghana. Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. has charged women leaders to be agents of change to boost governance and development in Ghana.
He was opening a maiden Special Orientation and Leadership Development Programme for female Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), which he described as a strategic national effort to strengthen inclusive governance at the local level.
The two-day programme, being held in Kumasi, is being implemented by the Minister in close collaboration with his Deputy, Madam Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, as part of deliberate efforts to build the capacity of female leaders within Ghana’s decentralised governance system.
The programme is on the theme, “Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies: Unlocking Leadership Excellence in Local Governance,” which reflects government’s commitment to empowering women to overcome systemic challenges and deliver transformative leadership at the local level.
Addressing participants, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim underscored the critical role of female MMDCEs in driving development, noting that their leadership remained essential to achieving responsive and people-centred governance.
He emphasised that the programme went beyond routine orientation, positioning it as a targeted intervention to equip participants with the tools, clarity and confidence needed to effectively navigate the complex demands of local governance.
“This is not just a training exercise, it is a strategic investment in leadership excellence and national development,” he stated.
The Minister noted that the theme of the programme was a direct call to action for female leaders to rise above structural limitations, assert their leadership, and build enduring legacies within their respective districts.
He highlighted that while women had long contributed significantly to community development as organisers, entrepreneurs and mobilisers, their roles had often remained informal and underrepresented within formal governance systems.
He added that experience had shown that when women led, governance became more inclusive, accountable and sustainable.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim further anchored the initiative within Ghana’s legal and policy framework, referencing the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) and the 1992 Constitution, which define the mandate of MMDCEs as both administrative leaders and agents of development.
He also drew attention to the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), which sets a target of 30 per cent female representation by 2026 and 50 per cent by 2030.
Despite these targets, he observed that women currently occupied only about 15 per cent of seats in Parliament, while just 30 out of 261 MMDCE positions are held by women. At the Assembly level, female representation remains critically low at just over 4 per cent.
“This reality highlights the structural barriers that continue to limit women’s full participation in governance and reinforces the need for deliberate interventions such as this programme,” he said.
As Ghana prepares for the 2027 District Level Elections, the Minister urged participants to take proactive steps to encourage more women to contest and win, using platforms such as town hall meetings and community engagements to build confidence and visibility.
He further called for deliberate efforts to mentor young women, particularly within educational institutions, to create a sustainable pipeline of future female leaders in local governance.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim stressed that achieving gender equality required collective responsibility, emphasising the need for men to serve as partners and allies in advancing inclusive leadership.
“It is for this reason that I have fully supported my Deputy Minister in advancing this initiative, recognising the importance of collective leadership in driving meaningful change,” he added.
The programme features expert-led sessions on key thematic areas, including public financial management, procurement compliance, digital governance, ethics and integrity, conflict resolution, and local economic development within the framework of the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who participated in the programme, expressed pride in the region’s performance, noting that Ashanti Region currently has the highest number of female MMDCEs in the country.
He pledged his commitment, alongside other male leaders, to support efforts aimed at increasing women’s representation in leadership positions both within the region and across the country.
Participants are expected to leverage the knowledge gained from the programme to strengthen governance outcomes in their respective districts.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim concluded by urging the participants to fully embrace the spirit of the theme by breaking barriers, challenging limitations, and building legacies that will transform their communities.
“Let this programme serve as a catalyst for action, transformation and lasting impact in the communities you serve,” he stated.
