The Government of Ghana has launched the Revised National Gender Policy (2025–2034), positioning it as a central framework to boost gender equality and inclusive national development.
The policy, unveiled by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, is expected to guide gender mainstreaming across governance, economic planning, and social protection systems over the next decade.
At the launch ceremony, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the document as a transformative roadmap designed to ensure equal opportunities for all citizens regardless of gender.
“This Policy articulates Ghana’s vision of a just and equitable society where women and men, girls and boys, have equal access to opportunities, resources and decision-making power”.
Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey
Policy Anchored in Development Strategy
Dr. Lartey stressed that gender equality must be viewed not only as a moral responsibility but also as a strategic national priority. She noted that countries that invest in gender inclusion often record stronger economic performance and social stability.
In-line with this position, the Minister explained that the revised framework provides renewed direction for integrating gender considerations into national and sectoral planning.
She added that effective implementation would require deliberate action, strong monitoring systems and sustained political will. “Gender equality is essential for strengthening economic growth, social cohesion and national progress,” she emphasised.
A key feature of the revised policy is its strong emphasis on measurable outcomes. According to the Minister, gender-responsive budgeting and clear accountability mechanisms will be critical to translating policy commitments into real improvements in the lives of women and girls.
She cautioned that policy success would depend largely on how institutions embed gender priorities into their operational plans and resource allocations. The policy covers the period 2025 to 2034 and outlines six broad strategic objectives. These include:
- Women’s economic empowerment.
- Improved access to justice.
- Enhanced women’s leadership and accountable governance.
- Expansion of economic opportunities.
- Transformation of inequitable gender relations.
- Strengthened protection for women and vulnerable groups during emergencies and humanitarian crises.
Legislative Backing Strengthened
The revised framework also reinforces the implementation of key legal instruments, notably the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121). Officials say aligning the policy with existing legislation is intended to close implementation gaps that have historically slowed progress on gender equality.
By linking policy direction with statutory obligations, the Ministry aims to ensure stronger compliance across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
In her remarks, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, underscored the importance of coordinated national action. She noted that achieving the policy’s objectives would require adequate funding, technical capacity and sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s mandate to lead gender mainstreaming across government and urged public institutions to integrate the policy into their planning frameworks. “Effective implementation will require strong institutional coordination, adequate resourcing and sustained stakeholder collaboration,” Dr. Zakariah said.
The launch attracted a wide range of national and international stakeholders, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of the gender agenda. Present were the Chairperson of the Women’s Caucus in Parliament, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Gender, Children and Social Welfare, representatives from the Judiciary, traditional and religious leaders, and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Development partners, including agencies within the United Nations system and ActionAid, also participated in the event. Many partners commended the Ministry for what they described as an inclusive consultative process that informed the policy revision. They pledged continued technical and financial support toward effective implementation.
Why the Revision Matters
Ghana’s original National Gender Policy, adopted in 2015, provided an important framework but faced implementation challenges, including limited funding, weak coordination and inconsistent monitoring. Analysts have long argued that updating the policy was necessary to reflect emerging social and economic realities.
The new 2025–2034 framework seeks to address these gaps by strengthening accountability structures and aligning gender priorities with national development planning and global commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Government officials say the revision also responds to persistent gender disparities in areas such as political representation, access to finance, and protection against gender-based violence.
With the policy now formally launched, attention is expected to shift toward implementation at sector and district levels. The Ministry has indicated that detailed operational guidelines and monitoring frameworks will be rolled out to support MDAs and local authorities.
If effectively executed, the Revised National Gender Policy is expected to serve as Ghana’s overarching blueprint for institutionalising gender equality and inclusive development over the next decade.
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