At the recent Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) conference organized by FOSDA in collaboration with the KAIPTC, Dr. Charity Binka, Chair of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), delivered a compelling summary of proposals and a call to action for participants. The conference, held on September 24, 2024, focused on the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace for Ghana’s 2024 Elections: The Role of Women,” and addressed critical challenges facing Ghana as it approaches its elections and what women as peacebuilding actors could do to promote peace within this period.

Dr. Binka emphasized the pivotal role of women in peacebuilding and governance, urging that “peace and security must have women at the forefront.” She highlighted several essential actions to be taken to accelerate women’s involvement during this electoral period as captured below:

1. Active Voting Participation: Dr. Binka stressed the importance of voting as a powerful tool for women, encouraging all attendees to engage actively in the electoral process. “As our vote is our power,” she asserted, underscoring that participation is crucial for shaping a peaceful future.
2. Become Peace Ambassadors: She called on participants to embrace their roles as peace ambassadors within their communities, promoting dialogue and understanding to mitigate conflict.
3. Address Financial Barriers: Recognizing that many women struggle to fund their campaigns, Dr. Binka underscored the necessity of financial inclusion initiatives to ensure fair representation and empower women candidates.
4. Engage Young Women: Dr. Binka pointed out the need to bridge the intergenerational gap by involving young women in political processes, potentially through activities like youth parliaments.
5. Establish More Voting Centers: To alleviate tensions during the electoral process, she advocated for the establishment of additional voting centers. This would help streamline voting and reduce wait times, making it easier for citizens especially women to participate.
6. Reject Violence and Promote Dialogue: Dr. Binka urged everyone to reject violence in all its forms, including harmful language. She emphasized open dialogue as a means to prevent conflict and foster understanding.
7. Highlight Women’s Leadership Qualities: In her closing remarks, she paired two essential ideas: “Women—peace; men—support.” This statement reinforces the collaborative effort required for sustainable peace.

To conclude, Dr. Binka’s remarks captured the essence of the WPS conference which lay in its powerful reminder that empowering women is not just beneficial but essential for cultivating a culture of peace in Ghana as it prepares for its 2024 elections; by taking action now, women can shape a more inclusive and harmonious future for all.