By Gloria Amoh
The Deputy Force Commander of the United Nation Mission and the United Nation Mission for the Referendum in West Sahara(MINURSO), Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye stated that, the Ghana Armed Forces has reviewed some of its regulations and given women the equal opportunities to compete for positions and promotions.
In a keynote address on the theme; Screening and Panel discussion on Women, Peace and Security at the British Council Auditorium in Accra, Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye explained that, in peace support operations, Ghana prides itself as one of the few countries to have cross the UN target of women participation in peace operations which is highly commendable.
“Women constitute about 35.3% of the observer group from the Ghana Armed Forces, staff officers are 17.1% and for formed troops, 15.7% as of September 2023. Ghana is beyond this target UN is expecting in 2028.” She said
According to her, though the United Nations(UN), Government and Civil Society Organizations(CSOs) are making efforts towards the inclusion competent and qualified females at various levels of decision making, many challenges like discriminating laws, cultural and social norms in some countries remain perveceive and women continue to remain under represented in all levels of leadership.
Additionally she highlighted that, to realize a transformative potential of women, peace and security agenda, all hands must be on deck to move from verbal commitment to more action by implementing relevent commitment across all the thematic areas by all actors.
“Thanks to our male colleagues for embracing gender equality inclusion of women in meaningful participation into the Ghana Armed Forces.”
