Defend Women in Leadership and Protect Our Independent Institutions - Hon Gloria Owusu

Accra, Ghana – In a country where progress has been steady but slow, the fight for gender equity in leadership has once again come into sharp focus. With just 41 out of 275 Members of Parliament being women, the stark reality of underrepresentation continues to cast a long shadow over Ghana’s democratic journey - Hon Gloria Owusu. 

The challenges confronting women in leadership are not new — but they remain as urgent as ever. Despite rising through the ranks with excellence, integrity, and dedication, women leaders often find themselves under undue scrutiny and unfair attacks. A glaring case in point is the recent pressure on the Chief Justice of the Republic, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo — one of Ghana’s most accomplished legal minds.

Instead of rallying behind her leadership, sections of the political space are engaged in a campaign that seeks to question her credibility. Not because of incompetence, but simply because she is a woman occupying a position of power and independence. This unfolding drama raises troubling questions about the continued politicization of our institutions and the gendered resistance that women in power often face.

Why must women be made to prove themselves over and over again? Why are institutions led by women more prone to attack and manipulation?

This is not just a political moment — it is a national wake-up call. The erosion of institutional credibility due to partisan interests threatens the very foundations of our democracy. And when those at the helm — particularly women — are targeted, it sends a chilling message to the next generation of potential leaders.

This is a rallying cry, not only for Ghanaian women but for women leaders across Africa and the world. The time has come to rise — to speak, to act, and to protect the space we have fought so hard to earn. We must defend each other and the integrity of our independent institutions.

If this trend is allowed to continue, we risk building a society where institutions cannot function without political influence. And when that day comes, history — and our children — will not forgive us.