Today, the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA), joins the global community to commemorate the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament. FOSDA joins with key groups and networks such as the GHANAP 2 Coalition, WOMNET, WGWYPS and NOPSWECO to commemorate the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament.

This day recognizes the leadership of women in advancing disarmament and protecting human security.

Globally, women have played transformative roles in reducing armed violence, such as during the Bougainville peace process where women-led weapon surrender ceremonies helped curb arms proliferation. In Ghana, women continue to act as key security actors through mediation efforts in the Alavanyo-Nkonya conflict and as Queen Mothers and peace groups in Northern Ghana who identify illegal weapon caches and respond to community security threats. These efforts reflect the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda under UNSCR 1325, which Ghana implements through the GHANAP framework to strengthen women’s role in preventing small arms proliferation. The message underscores that achieving sustainable peace requires providing women with the structural and financial support needed to sustain their peacebuilding and security work.

FOSDA’s monitoring of GHANAP 2 shows a significant implementation gap: although awareness of the policy has increased among Ministries, security agencies, and MMDAs, progress is undermined by the lack of a dedicated national budget. Without adequate funding, commitments to women’s participation in disarmament and protection efforts remain largely symbolic rather than practical.

FOSDA therefore calls for a shift from symbolic inclusion to real financial accountability to strengthen women’s contributions to national peace and disarmament efforts.

• For the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Gender (MoGCSP): The Ministry of Finance must establish a dedicated, ring-fenced line in the national budget for the MoGCSP and security agencies to fund outstanding GHANAP activities. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Gender must lead the charge to secure this funding and drive initiatives that increase women’s active participation in peace and disarmament operations.
• For All WPS Actors and Stakeholders: Civil society organizations, development partners, and relevant state entities must maintain relentless advocacy to keep pushing the ministries for national financing, while continuing to use their own platforms and resources to advance the Women, Peace, and Security agenda wherever possible.

We must intentionally move beyond matching words with words and begin matching our policy commitments with national coins. When we resource our women security actors, Ghana gains an unbreakable peace.