The meeting on the topic, “Reconstructing Local Governance and Multiparty Democracy in the 4th Republic: The Role of Women Traditional Leaders,” was held as part of a series of discussions on Constitutional Amendment, local governance reforms and the need to reduce the levels of exclusion of certain marginalized groups in Ghana. Attended by renowned female traditional leaders from different parts of Ghana, this particular meeting targeted two main categories of marginalized groups, females and traditional leaders. Discussions focused on issues affecting both groups and how female traditional leaders straddled both spheres. Presenters discussed issues associated with marginalization in both categories, efforts made so far to ameliorate their non-representation and the role female traditional leaders can play in advocating for change in these categories. Proposed policies such as The Council for Local Development and Governance, Mixed Member Proportional Representation and the Affirmative Action Bill were discussed in detail regarding their potential to reduce levels of exclusion of traditional leaders, females, persons with disability and the youth.
Participants enriched the discussion with their wealth of experience and ability to relate the proposed policies to their real-life situations. Among the issues which emerged from the discussion were the marginalization of female traditional leaders, their lack of a united front due to the different modes of appointment, their low representation at the National House of Chiefs and government legislation which bars traditional areas from partisan politics. The discussions were so rich that it was agreed that a second meeting will be held to further deliberate on the way forward.