Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on public service agencies to ensure that recruitment, promotions, and appointments are transparent, merit-based, and gender-responsive, emphasizing the need to move beyond tokenism.
Speaking at the opening of the second annual Women in Leadership conference in the public sector, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted government’s commitment to the Affirmative and Gender Equity Law and related initiatives, including the expansion of the National Archives Insurance School and the Women’s Economic Resilience Initiative. These measures, she said, aim to broaden women’s access to capital, digital finance tools, markets, and leadership positions across strategic sectors.
The Vice President encouraged female public service officers to act with confidence and purpose, stating: “Don’t be intimidated. It is not about fitting into other people’s image—it is about impact and staying true to your values.”
Themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Impact: Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Resetting Ghana Agenda,” the conference is designed to empower women holding leadership roles, including Chief Directors, CEOs, Directors, and Managers, while enhancing their capacity to implement gender mainstreaming policies.
Madam Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Minister of State in charge of Public Sector Reforms, noted that comprehensive reforms, including the designation of Gender Desk Officers across all government institutions, would further strengthen gender equity in leadership.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Ms Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo, underscored that the law protects women in leadership and urged them to challenge stereotypes and discrimination in pursuit of public sector roles.
The conference represents a strategic step by the government and the Public Services Commission to institutionalize gender-responsive leadership and advance women’s inclusion in Ghana’s governance framework.
