ECOWAS Ministers Push for Greater Political Inclusion of Women and Youth.
By Ferdinand Olise
Ministers responsible for gender issues in ECOWAS member states have gathered in Accra, Ghana to discuss reforms promoting political participation and leadership of women and youth in West Africa.
According to a statement by the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja on Saturday, the meeting took place on February 19, 2026, aimed to validate the report of experts, and define an advocacy strategy for the ECOWAS Political Declaration on Gender Parity, to be adopted by the Conference of Heads of State and Government in June 2026.
Key speakers at the meeting emphasised the need to address structural barriers and promote inclusive governance.
The ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, highlighted the importance of the meeting, while the Ghana’s Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advancing gender equality and youth empowerment.
The meeting was part of the ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary celebrations, which focuses on achieving gender parity in elected bodies across the region by 2035.
Meanwhile, recommendations from the meeting are expected to inform a draft declaration to be presented to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State.
Other Speakers at the meeting include the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, H.E. Chantal FANNY, Senator and President of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA), H.E. Ms. Damtien TCHINTCHIBIDJA, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Ms. Agnes Naa Momo LARTEY, Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare of the Republic of Ghana, and H.E. Ms. Isata MAHOI, Minister of Gender and Children of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
