Accra: Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff, articulated that the ‘reset agenda’ transcends being a mere political slogan, serving instead as a deliberate call to action aimed at rebuilding trust in governance, reforming institutions, and redefining the role of women in leadership.
According to Ghana News Agency, Bampoe-Addo emphasized that the reset agenda is fundamentally a ‘gender agenda,’ reflecting President John Dramani Mahama’s firm belief in the leadership capabilities of women. She highlighted the agenda’s focus on women’s leadership during her address at the 2nd Annual Conference for Women in Leadership in the Public Sector, organized by the Public Services Commission, under the theme: ‘Breaking Barriers, Building Impact: Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Resetting Ghana Agenda.’
Bampoe-Addo urged a critical examination of the progress made in overcoming obstacles and creating impact for women, particularly within the public sector, which serves as the core of governance. Current data from the Public Services Commission indicates that women hold 26 percent of managerial positions in the public sector. While the judiciary has seen three consecutive female Chief Justices, the Supreme Court currently includes four women out of 19 Justices, representing about 21 percent.
She noted that women constitute 23.21 percent of political appointments, with the government working towards achieving the statutory thresholds outlined in the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act. This act mandates female representation of 30 percent by 2026, 35 percent by 2028, and 50 percent by 2030. “These targets are not merely symbolic; they are a national obligation,” Bampoe-Addo stressed.
Highlighting the appointments of Madam Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong as the first female Chief Fire Officer, Madam Patience Baffoe-Bonnie as head of the Ghana Prisons Service, and Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman’s nomination as the first female Vice President, Bampoe-Addo asserted that the Reset Agenda is yielding tangible changes rather than symbolic gestures.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, who is also a human rights lawyer, encouraged women to embrace personal leadership, emphasizing that leadership is determined by impact and service rather than titles. She also advocated for transformational leadership, urging women to inspire their institutions and create legacies that would endure beyond their tenure.
The Women in Leadership Conference forms part of the Public Services Commission’s commitments to promote excellence in governance and advance gender mainstreaming in the public sector. The event drew participants from women in roles such as Chief directors, Chief executive officers, directors, managers, and analogous grades within the public sector.