Ghana’s female parliamentarians are gaining international recognition for their role in advancing women’s leadership and promoting transparency in governance. At the 2025 Global Open Government Partnership (OGP) Summit held in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, from October 7 to 9, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection and Member of Parliament for Krowor, joined global leaders to highlight Ghana’s progress in deepening citizen participation in lawmaking, strengthening public consultation systems, and leveraging digital platforms to enhance transparency and accountability.
In her address, Dr. Lartey reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering commitment to open governance principles, stressing that empowering citizens through access to information and technology is essential to building inclusive, transparent institutions. She noted that Ghana’s active participation in the OGP reflects its continuous efforts to institutionalize reforms that promote responsive leadership and gender-balanced representation.
At another session, Hon. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Member of Parliament for Tempane and Minister of State responsible for Public Sector Reforms, addressed the global challenge of misinformation and disinformation. She shared that Ghana is currently developing a new bill aimed at promoting responsible communication and protecting the integrity of public information. She further called for stronger partnerships between governments, the media, and civil society to counter false narratives that undermine democratic values and public confidence.
Ghana’s delegation to the summit comprised senior government officials, parliamentarians, and civil society representatives, led by Hon. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba. They were supported by Hon. Emmanuel Bedzrah, Chair of the OGP Parliamentary Caucus, and other members who reiterated Ghana’s dedication to citizen engagement and open policymaking.
The participation of Ghana’s female MPs aligns with the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), which mandates that women occupy at least 30 percent of leadership positions in public service. Dr. Lartey reaffirmed the government’s determination to achieve this target by 2026, emphasizing that women’s leadership remains central to achieving equitable governance and sustainable national development.
Ghana’s strong representation at the OGP Summit reaffirms its position as a regional trailblazer in transparency, gender inclusion, and participatory democracy. Through their leadership and advocacy, Dr. Lartey and Hon. Akanvariba continue to showcase Ghana as a shining example of women driving reform, innovation, and accountability in governance—both locally and globally.
Source: gbcghanaonline.com
