The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) recently organized a validation workshop to evaluate the progress of the Ghana National Action Plan 2 (GHANAP 2) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). Held on March 13, 2025, at the Sunlodge Hotel in Tesano, Accra, the event brought together key stakeholders to discuss findings from the Phase Two Monitoring Exercise and propose recommendations for the upcoming GHANAP 3. The workshop was part of FOSDA’s ongoing project to monitor the implementation of GHANAP 2, funded by Global Affairs Canada.

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Key Remarks from Stakeholders

Mrs. Theodora Williams-Anti, FOSDA Executive Director, emphasized that GHANAP 2 aimed to address the shortcomings of GHANAP 1, including poor implementation and limited stakeholder engagement. Mrs. Williams-Anti noted that while significant progress has been made in engaging most security institutions, challenges persist.

She however expressed optimism about the progress made under GHANAP 2 despite these existing challenges. According to her, FOSDA’s initiative to monitor the implementation of the plan has successfully engaged all key stakeholders listed in the UNSCR 1325 framework, with the notable exception of the Ghana Police Service. “If for nothing at all, we think that is an achievement,” she remarked, emphasizing that most security institutions are now aware of their roles under GHANAP 2.

She also noted that while implementation stood at only 20% as of 2023, there is significant potential for improvement. “Some activities are low-hanging fruits, and if we push a bit harder—even without full funding—we can achieve much more,” she said. Theodora pointed out positive steps, such as engaging the Ministry of Finance, which has shown its willingness to make itself aware of the action plan’s funding needs. She concluded with hope, that by the end of 2025, implementation rates could significantly improve with sustained effort and coordination.

Madam Sabia Kpekata, principal programme officer with the Department of Gender at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection commended the increased awareness among security institutions but stressed the need for grassroots involvement. She shared her hope for broader grassroots involvement in GHANAP 2 by emphasizing the need to extend this awareness to local communities and grassroots organizations. “The increased knowledge among key stakeholders is promising,” she said, “but we must ensure that this knowledge trickles down to those at the community level.”

Madam Sabia remained hopeful that targeted campaigns and inclusive strategies could bridge this gap. She expressed confidence that with better coordination and wider consultations, grassroots organizations could play a more active role in achieving the goals of GHANAP 2 and even the next generation of an action plan, GHANAP 3.

Bertha Desmenu, Senior Liason Officer with Global Affairs Canada, emphasized the importance of addressing socio-cultural barriers that hinder women’s participation in peace and security processes. She advocated for more structured monitoring mechanisms and stronger inter-agency collaboration to overcome these challenges. She commended the progress made in policy reforms and gender-sensitive training but stressed that more work needs to be done to address persistent challenges.

She highlighted how increased representation of women in security roles demonstrates a shift toward inclusivity. In her conclusion, she expressed hope that with enhanced collaboration and robust monitoring systems, Ghana could achieve even greater milestones under a GHANAP 3.

Findings from Phase Two Monitoring Exercise

During the event, the FOSDA consultant for the Phase two monitoring exercise, gave a presentation to summarise some findings. The zero draft report revealed both gains and persistent challenges in implementing GHANAP 2:

Some Gains include:

• Increased representation of women in security roles.
• Policy reforms supporting gender inclusion e.g. The Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Immigration Service now having Gender policies.

Some Challenges:

1. Funding Constraints: Limited financial resources have hindered the full implementation of planned activities.
2. Weak Coordination: The absence of a well-resourced steering committee has affected inter-agency collaboration.
3. Low Awareness: While government agencies demonstrate high awareness, grassroots organizations and local communities remain largely uninformed.

Recommendations for GHANAP 3

The event also presented the opportunity to discuss the way forward for a next generation Action Plan i.e. and served as a platform to propose recommendations for GHANAP 3. Participants shared thoughts on how to improve the next phase as below:

1. Incorporate Emerging Issues:
   • Add new pillars addressing health emergencies, migration, and environmental concerns.
   • Include intersectionality to ensure diverse representation across all sectors.
2. Strengthen Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Establish a dedicated task force with focal persons in each stakeholder institution.
   • Develop an online platform to facilitate monitoring and data collection.
3. Enhance Funding Mechanisms:
   • Secure sustainable funding through government budgets and international partnerships.
   • Formalize agreements with stakeholders to ensure consistent financial support.
4. Expand Awareness Campaigns:
   • Conduct wider consultations at all levels, including grassroots organizations.
   • Integrate education, agriculture, and other sectors into the WPS agenda.
5. Improve Monitoring Systems:
   • Digitize monitoring processes to track progress effectively.
   • Enforce targeted work plans with regular reporting mechanisms.

Conclusion

The validation workshop underscored both achievements and gaps in implementing GHANAP 2 while setting a clear agenda for GHANAP 3. Stakeholders expressed optimism that with enhanced coordination, sustainable funding, and inclusive strategies, Ghana can achieve its WPS goals more effectively. As Theodora aptly stated, “If we push harder—even without full funding—we can achieve much more.”

The workshop was attended by representatives from Ghana Armed Forces; Ghana Immigration Service; Ghana Prisons Service; Ghana Revenue Authority – Customs Division; the Ministry of Local Governance, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Gender; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; National Peace Council; Institute of Local Governance; Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre; Girls to Women Foundation; Women’s League for Peace and Freedom; African Women Leaders Network; West African Network for Peacebuilding; Initiative for Gender Equality and Development in Africa. It was also graced by Media representatives from various media houses including Graphic, GBC, Citi, Joy News, Ghone TV and Starr Online.