By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Ghana’s female parliamentarians are earning global recognition for 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 international leaders to share Ghana’s progress in fostering citizen participation in legislation, strengthening public consultation frameworks, and expanding digital platforms to improve governance and accountability.
In her address, Dr. Lartey underscored Ghana’s commitment to the principles of open governance, stressing that empowering citizens through access to information and technology remains key to building inclusive and transparent institutions. She noted that Ghana’s participation in the OGP reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to implement reforms that ensure 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 growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation. She emphasized Ghana’s ongoing work on a new bill designed to promote responsible communication and safeguard the integrity of public information. She further called for stronger collaboration among governments, the media, and civil society to combat false narratives that threaten democratic values and public trust.
Ghana’s delegation to the summit included senior government officials, parliamentarians, and representatives from civil society, led by Hon. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba. They were supported by the OGP Parliamentary Caucus Chair, Hon. Emmanuel Bedzrah, and other members who reaffirmed Ghana’s dedication to citizen engagement and open policymaking.
The participation of Ghana’s female MPs aligns with the objectives of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), which seeks to ensure that women occupy at least 30 percent of leadership positions in public service. Hon. Dr. Lartey reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving this target by 2026, highlighting that women’s leadership is central to achieving equitable governance and sustainable development.
Ghana’s active presence at the OGP Summit underscores its growing reputation as a regional leader in transparency, gender inclusivity, and participatory democracy. Through their representation, Dr. Lartey and Hon. Akanvariba continue to showcase Ghana’s example of women driving reform and innovation in governance — both locally and on the global stage.
