Ghana's Gender Minister Pushes Canada for Deeper Support on Women's Economic Empowerment

Ghana's Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has used a high-level policy forum in Ethiopia to press for strengthened cooperation between Canada and African nations on women's economic participation, arguing that investment and trade alone cannot break down the structural barriers keeping women from full economic engagement.

Speaking at the Canada–Africa Policy Roundtable and Reception in Addis Ababa, Dr Lartey outlined a comprehensive vision for inclusive economic growth that moves beyond traditional approaches. She stressed that Africa needs more than capital inflows; policymakers and development partners must tackle the systemic obstacles—from limited access to credit and childcare to exclusion from regional supply chains—that constrain women's entrepreneurship.

Ghana's Success Stories and Canadian Partnership

Dr Lartey highlighted three Canadian-funded initiatives already operating in Ghana that demonstrate the potential of targeted partnership. The Making Trade Work for Women in West Africa project, the Enhancing Market Participation and Learning Opportunities for Young Women (EMPLOY) initiative, and the Climate Resilient Livelihoods for Women in Northern Ghana (CLIMB) scheme have all advanced women's economic prospects in different contexts—from urban trade to rural agriculture. These programmes form a model that could be expanded and replicated across Africa.

The Minister's remarks came during the Egumeni Dialogue, an ongoing platform for policy engagement between African governments and international partners. By speaking directly to Canadian officials and fellow African policymakers, Ghana positioned itself as a thought leader on integrating gender into the continent's economic strategy.

Three Pillars for Women's Economic Growth

Dr Lartey identified three priority areas for enhanced cooperation:

• Access to affordable finance and investment: Women-owned businesses remain starved of capital. Expanded lending programmes, venture funds and microfinance instruments tailored to female entrepreneurs are essential.
• Trade participation and regional integration: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents unprecedented opportunity, but women must be actively connected to value chains, buyer networks and cross-border commerce infrastructure.
• Skills, technology and workplace conditions: Women need investment in digital literacy, product certification training, childcare support and measures to ensure safe, dignified working environments.

Why This Matters for Ghana

Ghana's economy is heavily dependent on small and medium enterprises, many of which are woman-owned. Yet structural barriers—limited collateral, weak digital infrastructure in rural areas, unpaid care responsibilities and limited access to export networks—constrain their growth. By securing deeper Canadian partnership, Ghana can unlock resources for skills training and market access that create jobs and boost household incomes. The AfCFTA also presents Ghana as a regional trade hub; women entrepreneurs who gain support now can position Ghanaian goods and services across West Africa and the continent.

Dr Lartey's integrated approach—combining finance, skills, market access and social protection—reflects international best practice. It recognises that women's economic empowerment is not a charity issue but an engine of growth: studies show that closing gender gaps in economic participation can add trillions to African GDP. Ghana's reaffirmation of commitment to such partnerships signals readiness to leverage international support for national prosperity.

The Minister's call for action also underscores Ghana's expectation that development partners prioritise substance over rhetoric. Generic funding announcements without targeted support for women to meet international standards, obtain certification and connect with buyers will not move the needle. The message: invest strategically, and help women scale.