Ghana Pushes for Greater Access to Finance for Women at AU Dialogue
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called for stronger efforts to remove barriers preventing women from accessing finance, markets, technology and other resources needed to grow their businesses.
She made the call at the Second Egumeni Dialogue on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from October 19 to 21, 2026.
At the opening of the dialogue on Monday, the Minister delivered a solidarity statement on behalf of Ghana’s President and the African Union Champion on Gender and Development Issues in Africa, reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to advancing women’s financial and economic inclusion across the continent.
Dr Lartey stressed that addressing the structural challenges women face in accessing land, productive resources, markets, technology and business development support was essential to ensuring their full participation in Africa’s economic transformation.
Highlighting Ghana’s interventions, she identified the proposed Women’s Development Bank as a flagship initiative to improve access to affordable financing, particularly for women who struggle to meet the collateral and other requirements of conventional financial institutions.
The initiative is expected to benefit a broad range of women, including market traders, farmers, food processors, artisans, young digital entrepreneurs and small-business operators. By improving access to finance, the bank is expected to help women expand their businesses, increase productivity and create jobs.
The Minister also cited Ghana’s National Gender Policy 2025–2034 and the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), as key frameworks for addressing gender inequalities, promoting women’s empowerment and expanding their access to productive resources, sustainable livelihoods and decision-making opportunities.
She further emphasised that women’s economic participation could not be separated from the protection of their rights, safety and dignity.
She highlighted Ghana’s deposit of its instrument of ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls on September 29, 2026, as a demonstration of the country’s commitment to protecting women and girls from violence and discrimination.
Dr Lartey called for stronger partnerships among governments, financial institutions, development partners, the private sector and women’s business networks to mobilise resources, widen access to affordable financing and create better market opportunities for women across Africa.
She also urged sustained support for the African Union’s Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion 2030 initiative, emphasising the need for political leadership, strategic partnerships and increased investment to accelerate progress.
The Second Egumeni Dialogue on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, organised by the African Union Commission’s Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, is being held under the theme, “Building a Resilient Africa through Accelerated Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion.” It brings together African leaders, policymakers, financial institutions, development partners, private-sector representatives and civil society organisations to explore practical ways of expanding economic opportunities for women.
The three-day dialogue is expected to strengthen cooperation among African countries and identify practical measures to expand women’s access to finance, support women-owned businesses and increase their participation in economic decision-making.
These efforts are aimed at reducing poverty, creating jobs, improving household welfare and promoting inclusive growth towards a more resilient African economy.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
