Empower Women to Lead Peace and Disarmament Efforts – Interior Chief Director

The Ag. Chief Director of the Ministry of the Interior, Mrs. Doreen Annan, has called for deliberate empowerment of women and girls as central actors in peacebuilding and efforts toward a gun-violence-free society.

Speaking at the 2026 International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament Empowerment Seminar in Accra under the theme, “Women and Girls as Agents for Peace and Disarmament: From Awareness to Action for a Peaceful and Gun Violence-Free Ghana”, she highlighted that women and children continue to bear the greatest burden of gun-related violence, making their participation in prevention and response strategies essential.

Mrs. Annan stressed that women have consistently demonstrated leadership in peacebuilding and must be empowered not as passive beneficiaries but as frontline actors shaping security outcomes. She called for strengthened intelligence-led operations, improved community-based security systems, and expanded awareness campaigns that intentionally integrate women’s participation.

The Chief Director emphasised that peacebuilding must move beyond rhetoric into structured, practical engagement, noting that peace is not a project but a continuous collective responsibility.

In her address, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, reaffirmed that leadership and peacebuilding are not reserved for men alone, stressing that women are equally capable leaders and essential contributors to national development.

She noted that achieving a peaceful and gun violence-free Ghana requires the active involvement of women, particularly as they and children remain most vulnerable during periods of insecurity.

The Minister called for deliberate policies and opportunities that enable women to fully participate in peace and security processes, while encouraging them to recognise their ability to drive meaningful change in society.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), Dr. Adam Bonaa, noted that women remain powerful voices for peace, playing key roles as mediators, community mobilisers, and advocates, and stressed the importance of inclusive participation and sustained public education in addressing insecurity.

The seminar was organised by the Gender Desk of the NASCA to commemorate International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament 2026.