Vice president champions women’s leadership at public sector conference

Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for intensified efforts to advance women’s leadership in Ghana’s public sector, stressing that inclusive governance is critical to national development.

Speaking at the Conference for Women in Leadership in the Public Sector, held under the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Impact: Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Resetting Ghana Agenda,” she highlighted the essential role women play in shaping policy, strengthening institutions, and driving sustainable growth.

She noted that although progress has been made, barriers such as limited representation in senior roles, persistent biases, and entrenched stereotypes continue to hinder women’s full participation in leadership.

Addressing these challenges, she said, is vital to building resilient and forward-looking public institutions.

The Vice President pointed to government’s commitment to equity under President John Dramani Mahama, citing the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act and broader reforms under the Reset Agenda aimed at stabilizing the economy and restoring public confidence.

She also referenced targeted interventions including the distribution of free sanitary pads to schoolgirls, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, and efforts to make the National Health Insurance Scheme more inclusive.

Encouraging women to build strong professional networks, deepen their expertise, and confidently pursue leadership opportunities, she emphasized that leadership is defined by impact and service.

She further called for fairness and integrity in recruitment and promotion processes to ensure merit-based advancement.

Vice President Opoku-Agyemang concluded that advancing women’s leadership is not merely a social objective but a national imperative, urging stakeholders to commit to equity, competence, and lasting institutional transformation.