One of the key outcomes of the National Forum on the Status of Women’s Land, Property and Natural Resource Rights was the agreement reached among stakeholders to establish a National Working Group on Women’s Land, Property, and Natural Resource Rights. This development is particularly significant as it affirms a shared commitment and consensus across the different stakeholders that critical issues affecting women’s land, property and natural resources rights is a collective responsibility that must be addressed collectively. We are also encouraged by the strong enthusiasm shown by stakeholders to actively participate in the Working Group and champion women’s land, property and natural resource rights within their respective programs, projects and activities.

Why the National Working Group is So Important for Ghana Now

The National Working Group on Women’s Land, Property and Natural Resource Rights is a long-term multi-stakeholder commitment towards addressing the challenges with women’s land, property, and natural resource rights. It brings together a multi-stakeholder coalition of both institutional and individual stakeholders, who are aligned in their commitment to promoting women’s land, property, and natural resource rights in Ghana. Members of the National Working Group include State Agencies, Private Sector Organizations, Traditional Authorities, Queen Mothers, Civil Society Organisations, Media, Academia, Professional Bodies, Farmer-Based Organisations and Community Based Organisations. The National Working Group will work together on the following objectives;

·      Collaborate with relevant sector agencies to develop and implement national strategies for promoting women’s land, property, and natural resource rights.

·      Mobilise and coordinate national level advocacy efforts on women’s land, property, and natural resources rights.

·      Serve as a central repository for data on women’s land, property, and natural resource rights in Ghana.

·      Provide technical support to both state and non-state actors in the design and implementation of women’s land, property, and natural resource rights initiatives.

With COLANDEF serving as the coordinating institution, we are determined to ensure that the National Working Group on Women’s Land Rights becomes a national mechanism for transforming the status of women’s land, property, and natural resource rights in Ghana. The enthusiasm we saw at the Forum proves that the time to act is now.

We invite all organizations, agencies, and individuals who are committed to this cause to partner with us in shaping a future where women’s land, property and natural resource rights are fully recognised, respected and secured.