With Ghana’s 2024 general elections on the horizon, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) have joined forces to launch a critical Election Observer Training Course.
This initiative, supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), aims to empower women and youth as impartial election observers, tasked with upholding peace, transparency, and democracy throughout the election process.
The training program, held under KAIPTC’s Women, Youth, Peace, and Security Institute (WYPSI) as part of the Women Situation Room Project, underscores the importance of inclusivity in ensuring Ghana’s electoral stability. The initiative brings together Ghanaian women-focused and women-led organizations to foster the roles of women and youth as vital peacemakers.
In his opening remarks, Major General Richard Addo Gyane, Commandant of KAIPTC, emphasized the importance of maintaining Ghana’s democratic integrity and lauded the inclusion of women and youth in the training. “For too long, these vital segments of our society have been marginalized in political processes. Yet, they represent the majority of our population and hold the key to our nation’s long-term stability. By empowering women and youth, we empower our democracy,” he said, urging participants to approach their roles with vigilance and impartiality.
The Power of Women in Peacebuilding
Theodora Williams Anti, Executive Director of FOSDA, expanded on the value of women’s involvement in peacebuilding and democratic processes, emphasizing that including women increases the chances of lasting success. “When women are involved, there is more than a 20% chance of whatever is agreed upon to be more sustainable. For peace, we know the role women are playing in communities—as Queen Mothers, market leaders, and as champions of peace.”
Highlighting the multifaceted roles women play, Anti called for women and youth to be actively included in every decision-making process related to the elections, from the National Peace Council to the Electoral Commission. “We are saying, involve women, involve youth, whether it’s the National Peace Council, the EC, the police, or the media. Give them a voice, give them a chance, and you’ll exceed your expectations.”
Building Capacity for Sustainable Impact
Anti addressed a common misconception that women and youth cannot serve effectively in election observation roles, asserting that the training would provide participants with the skills and knowledge to succeed. “Most of the time when you call for women and young people, they say they are not there; they don’t have the capacity. That’s why we are taking the time to give them the skills and knowledge they need to observe the elections and report what’s happening, especially in ways that will promote peace before, during, and after the elections.”
Mrs. Agnes Agbevadi, Principal Program Officer for Women, Youth, Peace, and Security at KAIPTC, outlined the importance of women’s participation in an interview with the media, explaining, “Our core responsibility is to ensure women’s inclusion in the political space. Women have always played a critical role in elections and political processes, yet they remain underrepresented and marginalized. This initiative seeks to reverse that trend by calling for more women to take part as voters, candidates, and observers, thus bringing a valuable gender perspective to the electoral process.”
Mrs. Agbevadi emphasized that women and youth have an intrinsic right and responsibility to participate in the democratic process. She noted that their engagement as observers not only strengthens Ghana’s democracy but also aligns with ECOWAS’s election strategic framework, which mandates the participation of women as voters, candidates, and election monitors. By actively participating, these groups can help safeguard the democratic rights of all citizens, including individuals with disabilities, who are often overlooked in political spaces.
The collaboration behind the Women Situation Room Project—including KAIPTC, the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)—highlights the commitment of both local and international partners to a peaceful democratic transition. By empowering women and youth, the project reinforces the principles of gender equality, transparency, and peace that are essential to a democratic society.
This initiative resonates especially in a political climate where many citizens are concerned about potential unrest and divisiveness during the elections. Mrs. Agbevadi reassured Ghanaians that the program’s goal is to build resilience among participants, fostering a community dedicated to tolerance and dialogue. She urged, “We call for peace, tolerance, and unity and do not condone any form of violence against anyone. Everyone—especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities—has a right to participate fully and peacefully in our electoral process.”
The Women Situation Room Project Consortium and the WYPS department are hopeful that this initiative will be a transformative step toward peaceful, transparent elections. By creating a platform for women and youth to serve as electoral observers, the project aims to not only enhance democratic accountability but also to encourage future generations to value and uphold peace in the political arena. This effort underscores that a thriving democracy is built on the inclusion, participation, and empowerment of all its citizens.
The workshop agenda is comprehensive, covering best practices in election observation and strategies for promoting peace, unity, and tolerance. Participants are being trained to observe, report, and mediate any potential disputes in compliance with the rules established by Ghana’s electoral authorities. Through this effort, the program aims to equip observers with the skills needed to ensure that the electoral process remains fair, inclusive, and free from violence.
By Gabriel Asempa, V/R, Sogakofe
