Inclusive Governance as a Catalyst for National Development
Inclusive governance is crucial to Ghana's national development. It ensures that all citizens, regardless of gender, age, or background, have equal opportunities to participate in influencing decisions that impact their lives (UN Women, 2023). The recent enactment of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, presents a significant step toward embedding inclusive governance within Ghana (Parliament of Ghana, 2024).
The Act requires the balanced representation of women in public life and decision-making bodies at every level of governance, addressing long-standing gender inequalities that have limited women's involvement (Parliament of Ghana, 2024). Female MPs currently constitute less than 15% of the seats in Parliament (Parliament of Ghana, 2024; UN Women, 2025).
The Act: Advancing Gender and Youth Representation
This legislative milestone aligns with Ghana's Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (2021–2025) and the Long-term National Development Plan (2018–2057). These frameworks emphasise inclusivity, equity, and social justice in national development planning (National Development Planning Commission [NDPC], 2022).
The presence of women in leadership is strongly linked to improved development outcomes (UN Women, 2023, 2025). Inclusive governance ensures more representative, participatory, and responsive institutions (United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], 2024). However, gender equality in governance cannot be pursued in isolation from youth inclusion.
Ghana's population is youthful: those aged 15–35 represent 38.2% of the total population of 30.8 million (GSS, 2021). The meaningful involvement of youth in governance is essential to harnessing the demographic dividend and ensuring sustainable and equitable development (NDPC, 2022; UNDP, 2024).
Toward Intersectional and Intergenerational Inclusion
The effective implementation of the Affirmative Action Act must adopt an intersectional and intergenerational approach. This includes ensuring mechanisms for women's representation are deliberately inclusive of young women, and that youth participation is institutionalised through targeted reforms (UNDP, 2024).
- Establishment of youth quotas in governance structures at all levels
- Support for youth parliaments and advisory councils
- Investment in civic education and leadership pipelines for emerging young leaders
- Deliberate inclusion of rural youth, young persons with disabilities, and socio-economically disadvantaged youth (UNDP, 2024)
Key Reflections for Policy and Practice
- How are existing governance structures being reformed to comply with the mandates of the Act?
- How effective are current systems in tracking women and youth representation in governance?
- What strategies are in place to actively engage rural women, youth, and persons with disabilities?
- Are sufficient resources committed to support the Act's implementation and build leadership capacity?
- How is inclusive governance being mainstreamed into Ghana's long-term national planning frameworks?
“The Affirmative Action Act is more than a legal instrument, it is a strategic enabler for inclusive governance. Its true value will be measured not by its passage, but by its implementation.”
References
Ghana Statistical Service. (2021). 2021 population and housing census general report. Ghana Statistical Service.
National Development Planning Commission. (2022). Coordinated programme of economic and social development policies, 2022–2025. Government of Ghana.
Parliament of Ghana. (2024). Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121).
United Nations Development Programme. (2024). Assessment of forms and levels of women and youth participation in local governance and peacebuilding processes in selected districts in the North East, Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana. UNDP Ghana.
UN Women. (2023). Gender equality and inclusive governance report. UN Women.
UN Women. (2025). Facts and figures: Women’s leadership and political participation. UN Women.