A delegation comprising representatives from the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), has paid a courtesy call on the management of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to discuss strategies for enhancing women’s leadership in local governance.

The visit formed part of the Partnership for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL) Project, a six-year initiative supported by Global Affairs Canada to increase women’s participation in governance and promote gender-responsive public service delivery.

During the visit, the National Project Coordinator for PMI-WILL, Sheriff Amarh, explained that the project focused on improving the quality of life for women and girls, particularly those from marginalised communities adding that the project was currently being implemented in five countries namely Ghana, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Benin, and Zambia.

Amarh indicated that the project which had gained a presence in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Northern, Upper West, and Bono East regions of Ghana had supported and trained several female assembly members to contest elections and senior staff and coordinating directors to enhance gender-inclusive governance.

The Metro Coordinating Director of the AMA, Douglas N.K. Annoful who welcomed the delegation pointed out that the AMA had made concerted efforts to ensure its services were gender-sensitive and inclusive of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) stressing that these efforts align with Ghana’s commitments to social inclusion, equity, and accessibility in public service delivery.

He disclosed that the AMA integrates gender considerations into its budgeting process, to ensure that policies and programs address the needs of both men and women equitably, and support women’s entrepreneurship through skills training, access to finance, and market opportunities, particularly for female traders in the informal sector.

Mr Annoful noted that the Assembly also considers the needs of women in city planning, including safe public spaces, improved sanitation, and child-friendly facilities as well as enforces disability-friendly building codes, to ensure that public facilities, including offices, and markets, were disability friendly.

He expressed the AMA’s commitment to fostering an inclusive urban environment where gender and disability considerations are integral to service delivery.

A member of the delegation, Councillor Kathy Jeffery from the Town of Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, commended Ghana’s efforts in promoting women’s leadership in local governance and stated that she had engaged with the Women’s Network and had visited various regions to share experiences and learn from local women representatives.

The Presiding Member of the AMA and President of NALAG, Hon. Alfred Asiedu Adjei, acknowledged the challenges posed by entrenched patriarchal mindsets but stressed that efforts were being made to empower women and integrate them into leadership roles.

He expressed optimism about the increasing representation of women in strategic leadership, citing Ghana’s first female Vice President and the appointment of a female Greater Accra Regional Minister as significant milestones.

Hon Adjei encouraged aspiring women leaders to approach leadership with confidence, stating that they should see themselves as equals to men rather than limiting themselves based on gender.

The meeting was attended by key officials of the AMA, including heads of departments.