First National Forum on Women in Government and Media Held at Jubilee House

The maiden Women in Government & Media Forum convened by the Government Communications Office set the tone for deepening collaboration, enhancing visibility, and strengthening public trust in women leaders.

The forum was held on 19th February 2026 at the Banquet Hall of the Jubilee House, under the patronage of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana.

Held under the theme “Leadership, Visibility, & Public Trust,” the high-level gathering brought together female ministers, deputy ministers, CEOs, members of parliament, senior public officers, and media practitioners—including editors, producers, and broadcasters—for strategic dialogue on leadership visibility, narrative ownership, ethical communication, and the role of women in shaping national discourse.

Hon. Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), described the forum as a strategic platform to align women in public office with those shaping national narratives through media. Special remarks were delivered by Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Minister of State for Government Communications, and Hon. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, who underscored the significance of the gathering.

Key statements from government leaders emphasized the need for women’s leadership to go beyond symbolic visibility toward measurable impact, stronger institutional accountability, and rebuilding public trust. Among the highlights were contributions from:

• Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection

• Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts

• Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry

• Hon. Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, Leader of the Women’s Caucus in Parliament

• Ms. Judith Adjobah Blay, CEO, Ghana Gas

The forum also featured focused engagements with heads of Ghana’s security institutions, including DCFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong of the National Fire Service and Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie of the Prisons Service, highlighting institutional reforms, operational discipline, and the evolving role of women within security services.

The keynote address by H.E. Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang urged participants to view leadership as responsibility rather than status, stressing credibility, ethical conduct, and competence as central to women’s growing visibility in public life.

During the main panel discussion, panelists including Dr. Grace Ayensu, Oheneyere Gifty Anti, Nana Yaa Jantuah, and Margaret Ansei explored public scrutiny of women leaders, strategies for building trust, and strengthening media-government collaboration.

The forum was energised by cultural and musical performances, including a surprise appearance by renowned Ghanaian songstress Efya, which added vibrancy and excitement to the event.

The maiden forum concluded with commitments to institutionalise the Women in Government & Media platform as an annual convening dedicated to fostering collaboration, credibility, and transformative leadership among women in public service and media.

Read the full statement below;

FIRST NATIONAL FORUM ON WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA SETS TONE FOR DEEPENING STRATEGIC COLLABORATION, ENHANCING VISIBILITY, AND STRENGTHENING PUBLIC TRUST FOR WOMEN LEADERS

The maiden Women in Government & Media Forum was convened by the Government Communications Office on 19th February 2026 at the Banquet Hall of the Jubilee House, under the patronage of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana. Held under the theme, “Leadership, Visibility, & Public Trust,” the high-level gathering brought together female leaders in government and media to deepen collaboration and strengthen public confidence in leadership.

The forum brought together distinguished female ministers, deputy ministers, CEOs, members of parliament, senior public officers, female media practitioners, editors, producers, and broadcasters to engage in strategic dialogue on leadership visibility, narrative ownership, ethical communication, and the role of women in shaping national discourse.

The program, moderated by Shamima Muslim, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, featured a welcome address by Hon. Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), who described the forum as a strategic platform to build alignment between women in public office and women shaping national narratives through media.

Special remarks were delivered by Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Minister of State for Government Communications, alongside contributions from Hon. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, who collectively underscored the importance of the gathering.

A significant highlight of the program was the series of statements delivered by:

• Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection

• Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts

• Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry

• Hon. Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, Leader of the Women’s Caucus in Parliament

• Ms. Judith Adjobah Blay, CEO, Ghana Gas

Across their varied portfolios, a unifying message emerged: women’s leadership must move beyond symbolic visibility to measurable impact, stronger institutional accountability, and the intentional rebuilding of public trust, with the Leader of the Women’s Caucus reaffirming Parliament’s commitment to deepening bipartisan collaboration on issues affecting women nationwide.

The forum also featured a focused tête-à-tête engagement with the heads of the Ghana National Fire Service, DCFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, and the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq.), spotlighting institutional reforms, operational discipline, and the evolving role of women within the security services.

The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who charged participants to treat leadership as responsibility rather than status. She stressed that credibility, ethical conduct, and competence must anchor women’s growing visibility in public life, urging leaders in both government and media to protect truth, deepen substance, and cultivate trust in democratic institutions.

The main panel discussion brought together:

• Dr. Grace Ayensu, Deputy Minister of Health / MP

• Oheneyere Gifty Anti, Broadcaster

• Nana Yaa Jantuah, Former Journalist and Presidential Staffer

• Margaret Ansei, CEO, Ghana Enterprises Agency

Panelists examined public scrutiny for women in leadership, building public trust, and strengthening media-government collaboration.

The forum was further energized by cultural and musical performances, including a surprise performance by renowned Ghanaian songstress Efya (Jane Fara Fauzzier Afia Boafowaa Yahaya Awindor), whose appearance brought vibrancy and renewed energy to the room.

The event concluded with commitments to institutionalize the Women in Government & Media platform as an annual convening dedicated to strengthening collaboration, credibility, and transformative leadership.