Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for women and girls to play a central role in Ghana’s peacebuilding and disarmament efforts, stressing that inclusive leadership is critical to national stability and sustainable peace.
In a keynote address delivered on her behalf by Agnes Naa Momo Lartey at a Women and Girls Empowerment Seminar in Accra, the Vice President said meaningful female participation in leadership and decision-making strengthens communities and promotes responsive governance.
“When women participate meaningfully in leadership and decision-making, nations become more inclusive, stable and responsive,” she stated.
The seminar, organised to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament, was held under the theme: “Women and Girls as Active Agents of Peace and Disarmament: From Awareness to Action for a Peaceful and Gun-Violence-Free Ghana.”
The event brought together faith-based groups, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, security agencies and development partners to discuss strategies for promoting peace and reducing gun violence.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang noted that women have historically played important roles in mediating conflicts and sustaining communities, yet remain underrepresented in formal peace and security structures.
“This is a reality that we must be deliberate in changing today,” she stressed.
She warned that illicit arms proliferation and gun violence continue to threaten communities, with women and children often suffering the greatest consequences through insecurity, disrupted education and economic hardship.
The Vice President further encouraged young women and girls to actively participate in governance, advocacy and peacebuilding initiatives.
“Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. Your leadership matters,” she stated.
Also speaking at the seminar, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak warned that the spread of illicit small arms remains a major threat to peace and democratic stability across West Africa.
In a statement read on his behalf, the Interior Minister said women and girls must be positioned at the centre of Ghana’s peace and security strategy.
“Not as victims to be protected, but as frontliners to be empowered,” he stated.
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak also highlighted government efforts to strengthen arms control measures through international agreements, intelligence-led operations and community policing initiatives.
However, he stressed that security operations alone would not end gun violence without stronger community engagement and women-led peace initiatives.
The seminar formed part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
