30 prospective female candidates to receive training and mentorship ahead of 2027 district level elections
Thirty (30) prospective female candidates are set to benefit from targeted training and mentorship under a new initiative aimed at increasing women’s participation and representation in Ghana’s local governance system ahead of the 2027 District Level Elections.
The project, titled “Strengthening Women’s Capacities for Effective Participation and Representation in Ghana’s Local Governance System,” was launched by ABANTU for Development in partnership with Plan International Ghana and with support from the Government of Canada.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the initiative as a timely investment in women’s leadership and political participation.
She announced that 30 aspiring female candidates would directly benefit from leadership development, mentorship, advocacy and campaign training designed to prepare them for the 2027 District Level Elections.
“We are not simply preparing women to contest elections. We are investing in a future where leadership is more inclusive, representative and responsive to the needs and aspirations of all citizens,” she stated.
According to the Minister, the initiative aligns with efforts to implement the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121) and promote gender-balanced representation in governance.
Executive Director of ABANTU for Development, Dr. Rose Mensah-Kutin, noted that women’s representation in local governance remains below 10 percent despite years of advocacy and policy reforms.
She explained that the project will identify, mobilise, and train prospective female aspirants, particularly young women and women with disabilities, equipping them with the skills and support needed to contest local elections and assume leadership positions.
Project Manager of the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Programme at Plan International Ghana, Theodora Asare, said the initiative seeks to address barriers that hinder women’s participation in governance, including limited confidence, access to opportunities and support systems.
She emphasised that the programme will empower women with the knowledge and skills required to effectively participate in the 2027 elections and influence decision-making processes at the local level.
Stakeholders at the event described the project as a significant step toward implementing the Affirmative Action Act and increasing women’s representation in district assemblies, where women currently account for only about 4.1 per cent of elected assembly members.
The launch brought together government officials, civil society organisations, women’s rights groups, development partners, people with disabilities, young women leaders and community representatives to explore strategies for strengthening women’s political participation and leadership in Ghana.