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ECOWAS drives inclusion reforms in West Africa

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2026-07-31 09:05 UTC → 2026-07-31 22:05 UTC · added removed

In late July 2026, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced launched two complementary initiatives aimed at broadening participation in the region’s political life. First, ECOWAS signed a inclusion initiatives. A five‑year agreement partnership with the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) was signed to deepen civil‑society engagement. The pact will link organised and organic actors, support joint advocacy engagement on regulation, the Sustainable Development Goals, civic space, gender equality and aid effectiveness, and is being guided by WACSI policy lead Omolara T. Balogun. Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama highlighted civil society as a strategic partner for nation‑building. Later effectiveness. On the same day, ECOWAS adopted a Presidential Declaration to strengthen aimed at boosting women’s political representation. The declaration urges member states to amend constitutions, legal frameworks and party structures, representation, urging constitutional and calls for party‑law reforms, increased funding, mentorship and capacity‑building for female candidates. It was presented A week later, ECOWAS reaffirmed the declaration at a high‑level forum in Abuja co‑hosted Abuja. Vice‑President Damtien Tchintchibidja presented a regional roadmap with UNDP and the African Women Leaders Network, measurable targets and was followed by accountability mechanisms, including a briefing 35 % affirmative‑action goal for women in Accra showcasing governance. Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs Hajia Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim pledged to meet this target, noting current female representation of 17‑20 % in the federal executive council. In Accra, officials highlighted Ghana’s recent gender‑equity legislation 2024 Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, which sets 30 % female representation by 2026, 35 % by 2028 and 50 % by 2034, and a revised national gender policy. UNDP’s Dr. Jide Okeke stressed the work need for sustainable financing, citing that women hold only about 18.4 % of parliamentary seats in the ECOWAS Gender Observatory. Together, these moves illustrate region. Member‑state ministers pledged coordinated legal reforms and financing mechanisms to achieve ECOWAS’s expanding 2035 gender‑parity goal, reinforcing the bloc’s broader agenda to promote of inclusive governance by fostering active civil‑society participation and advancing gender parity across West Africa. governance.

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  1. 2026-07-31 22:05 UTC ECOWAS drives inclusion reforms in West Africa
  2. 2026-07-31 09:05 UTC ECOWAS drives inclusion reforms in West Africa

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