On September 24th 2024, the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) organized a timely Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) conference at the KAIPTC focused on the theme of “Cultivating a Culture of Peace for Ghana’s 2024 Elections: The role of Women”
This event commemorated the 2024 International Day of Peace and aimed to address the pressing challenges Ghana faces as it approaches the elections, highlighting the crucial role women can play in maintaining peace and security during, before and after the elections.

The conference commenced with remarks from FOSDA’s Executive Director, Theodora Williams-Anti, who emphasized the need for a positive, dynamic, and participatory approach to peace. She noted that such peace should facilitate dialogue and mutual understanding, framing the conference as a national dialogue on women’s roles in the upcoming elections. Mrs. Williams-Anti stressed that women’s participation in peace processes aligns with the UNSCR 1325 framework and aimed to explore the core pillars of Ghana’s National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, which includes women’s participation, protection, and prevention of violence against women during elections. She underscored that the conference gathered practitioners, experts, and community members to identify gaps and opportunities for enhancing women’s participation at all levels.

The event featured speeches from distinguished guests including Major General Richard Addo Gyane, Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC); Mr. Andrew Maharaj, Chargé d’Affaires at the Canadian High Commission; Dr. Afua Ansre, Senior Specialist at UN Women; H.E. Berenice Owen-Jones, Australian High Commissioner to Ghana; and Mrs. Joana Opare from the National Peace Council. Each speaker reiterated the importance of women as essential peacebuilding forces during this critical period.

Following these remarks, FOSDA executive Director, presented a gender-sensitive perspective on Ghana’s election context. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by her, focusing on gaps and opportunities for increasing women’s participation in peace processes. Panelists included Dr. Anna Mensah (KAIPTC), Della Russel Ocloo (KAIPTC), Mrs. Josiane Sombo (WANEP), and Dr. Afua Boatemaa Yakohene (LECIAD).

The discussions revealed some pressing concerns including:

• Mistrust in the Electoral Commission: Participants expressed widespread mistrust in the Electoral Commission, which could undermine the legitimacy of the upcoming elections.
• Economic Hardships: Ongoing economic difficulties have exacerbated public grievances, creating an unstable environment.
• Threats from Violent Extremism: The rise of violent extremism in neighboring countries poses an increasing threat to Ghana’s stability.

Participants highlighted that involving women actively leads to more stable peace outcomes. They emphasized several recommendations:

• Empower Women Across All Levels: Engaging women from grassroots to leadership positions is crucial for expanding the peacebuilding agenda.
• Implement Gender-Sensitive Laws: The recently passed affirmative action law is seen as a vital step toward increasing women’s representation in institutions. Effective implementation of a quota system is necessary to prioritize women’s issues.
• Address Financial Barriers: Many women lack financial resources to fund their campaigns, hindering equal representation.
• Ensure Safety for Women in Media: Women journalists face threats when reporting on sensitive topics; thus, their protection is essential for promoting transparent information sharing.
• Enhance Voter Education: Special attention is needed for elderly women who may struggle with literacy and understanding ballots; this will help empower them politically.
• Collect Gender-Disaggregated Data: Tracking women’s voter turnout through gender-disaggregated data will help assess their involvement in the democratic process.

The conference also addressed the key pillars of the Ghana National Action Plan 2 (GHANAP 2) project, which include the participation of women in conflict prevention and in peace and security institutions and processes. Additionally, it emphasized the protection of the human rights of women and girls in conflict situations and peace support operations, as well as the prevention of violence against women, including sexual and gender-based violence related to conflict. The plan also outlines the importance of relief, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of natural or human-induced disasters, ensuring that women and girls have equal access to resources and support tailored to their specific needs.

To achieve these goals, it is essential to engage everyone in the process, including men, and to foster an understanding of these issues among all community members, as women cannot shoulder this responsibility alone. Intergenerational collaboration was also highlighted as vital for sustained progress. A key takeaway from the discussions was the notion that peace should not be viewed as a passive state; rather, it must be seen as an active process requiring continuous effort and engagement.

Call to Action

To conclude, Dr. Charity Binka, Chair of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), wrapped up the conference with a compelling call to action. She emphasized the pivotal role of women in peacebuilding and their active participation in governance and the electoral process. “Peace and security must have women at the forefront,” she stated, highlighting the importance of voting as a powerful tool for women. As our vote is our power, encouraging everyone to vote is crucial for shaping a peaceful country with a new president and parliament. Dr. Charity Binka urged attendees to become peace ambassadors and underscored the necessity of financial inclusion for women, noting that many struggle to fund their campaigns. Addressing this issue is essential for achieving fair representation and effectively advancing women’s agendas. She also pointed out the need to involve young women, as there exists an intergenerational gap that must be bridged, potentially through initiatives like youth parliaments. To alleviate tensions during the electoral process, she called for the establishment of more voting centers. The electoral commission should invest in these centers to streamline voting and reduce wait times, thereby facilitating the electoral process. Furthermore, Dr. Charity Binka urged everyone to reject violence in all its forms, including in our language. She advocated for open dialogue as a means to prevent conflict and emphasized the necessity of women’s representation in peacebuilding efforts. “We need peace now and always” she declared, encouraging individuals to speak up and lead by example. Highlighting the unique qualities of women’s leadership, she urged people to vote for women, asserting that this will lead to greater peace. In a powerful statement, she paired two essential ideas: “Women—peace; men—support” reinforcing the collaborative effort needed for sustainable peace in Ghana as it approaches its elections.