The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana and the President of the Executive Committee of the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA), Mrs. Jean Mensa, is set to host an inaugural meeting of Women Chairpersons from Election Management Bodies (EMBs) across Africa.

This landmark event according to Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chairman of Operations at the Electoral Commission of Ghana, in a statement will take place in Accra on the 5th and 6th of August 2024.

The delegation, he noted will include prominent women leaders from eight African countries, including Cape Verde, Liberia, Ethiopia, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

This gathering, the statement indicated marks a significant step in promoting gender equality and enhancing the role of women in election management across the continent.

Furthermore, Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chairman of Operations at the Electoral Commission of Ghana indicated that the meeting is being held under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Regional Service Centre for Africa and the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division.

“It is being organized in collaboration with International IDEA, the Association of African Election Authorities, and the Electoral Commission of Ghana”, the statement adaded.

Objectives of the Meeting

Highlighting the key objectives of the meeting, Samuel Tettey. the Deputy Chairman of Operations at the Electoral Commission of Ghana indicated that the primary aim of the meeting is to establish a continental network of senior electoral administrators.

This, he noted is specifically made for women, to foster peer support and collaboration among women in leadership roles within Election Management Bodies.

Additionally, Mr Samuel Tettey pointed out that the network is envisioned to provide a platform for sharing experiences, strategies, and best practices that can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of election management across Africa.

Moreover, the Deputy Chairman of Operations at the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Samuel Tettey noted that the meeting will focus on reviewing international and regional normative frameworks regarding women’s political participation.

By doing so, Mr Samuel Tettey empasuzed that the meeting seeks to address the challenges and barriers that women face in political and electoral processes and to promote policies that enhance women’s representation and participation in these areas.

Significance of the Event

Expressing excitement over the news, Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chairman of Operations at the Electoral Commission of Ghana emphasized that the inaugural meeting is a groundbreaking initiative that underscores the importance of women’s leadership in the electoral process.

He pointed out that the meeting reflects a broader commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in political and administrative roles.

“By bringing together women leaders from various African countries, the event aims to create a supportive environment that encourages more women to take on leadership positions within Election Management Bodies”, the statement read.

He mentioned that the involvement of the UNDP’s Regional Service Centre for Africa and the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division highlights the international community’s support for the initiative.

These organizations according Mr Samuel Tettey have been instrumental in providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to Election Management Bodies in Africa.

International IDEA, a global organization dedicated to supporting democracy worldwide, he stated has also played a key role in organizing this meeting, adding that by partnering with the Association of African Election Authorities and the Electoral Commission of Ghana, International IDEA aims to strengthen democratic institutions and processes in Africa.

The inaugural meeting of Women Chairpersons of African Election Management Bodies in Accra is a significant step towards enhancing the role of women in election management and promoting gender equality in political participation.