I grew up in a home where responsibility was shared. There were no rigid rules about who did what based on gender. On any given day, either of my parents could cook, clean, discipline, help with homework, or step out to handle an urgent matter. Chores were not divided between boys and girls; every child was involved. What mattered was availability, ability, and the situation at hand.
At the time, it felt normal. Only later did I realise how uncommon that arrangement was, and how profoundly it shaped my understanding of fairness, partnership, and respect.
Across Ghana, mornings begin early. In homes from Accra to Tamale, women wake before sunrise to prepare meals, organise children, and plan the day ahead. Many then head out to trade, run businesses, or report to work, carrying both economic and domestic responsibilities. In many of these same homes, men assume the roles of providers, decision-makers, and community representatives. This daily routine is familiar. It is also where the conversation on gender equity truly begins.
For years, discussions around gender equality in Ghana have largely focused on women. While this focus has been necessary, it has sometimes created the impression that gender equity is a women’s issue alone. In reality, progress cannot be achieved without men. Gender equity is not about sidelining men or challenging culture for its own sake. It is about partnership, fairness, and shared responsibility in building stronger families and a stronger nation.
WHY MEN MATTER IN GHANA’S GENDER AGENDA
In Ghanaian society, men continue to play influential roles in both private and public life. From households to communities, workplaces to traditional and religious institutions, men often occupy positions where key decisions are made. This influence can either sustain inequality or help dismantle it.
Growing up, I saw first-hand how men’s attitudes within the home could either limit or unlock opportunity. When fathers see themselves only as providers and not as caregivers or partners, the burden on women increases. When they see themselves as collaborators, families function differently.
Research by Afrobarometer shows that while a majority of Ghanaians support equal opportunities for women in leadership and public office, women still lag behind men in political participation, access to assets, and levels of education. These findings reveal an important truth: support for equality in principle does not always translate into equality in practice. Bridging that gap requires the involvement of those who hold influence—and that includes men.
Education offers a clear example. Afrobarometer’s findings also indicate that women in Ghana are less likely than men to attain Senior High School or higher levels of education. In many households, decisions about schooling are influenced by parents and guardians. When fathers actively support the education of girls, outcomes improve not only for the girls themselves but for entire families.
GENDER EQUITY BEGINS AT HOME
The home is the first place where values are formed. Children learn not only through instruction but through observation. In homes where responsibilities are shared and respect is mutual, children grow up seeing equality as normal rather than exceptional.
In my own home, there is no sense that helping in the kitchen or sweeping the compound diminishes anyone. Tasks are simply tasks. That early exposure makes it easier to understand that equity is not a threat to identity but an extension of responsibility.
This understanding echoes the words of renowned Ghanaian educationist Dr. James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey, who observed that when you educate a woman, you educate a nation. His statement remains relevant because education does not end with the individual. An educated girl grows into a woman whose influence extends to families, communities, and future generations. For that to happen, support must begin at home, and men have a critical role to play in ensuring that girls receive the same encouragement, opportunity, and belief as boys.
Across parts of Ghana, similar shifts are taking place. Community-based programmes such as the Gender Model Family initiative have encouraged men to take more active roles in household decision-making and family wellbeing. Research by African Rights and other human rights organisations in Ghana shows that when men support women’s health decisions and share caregiving responsibilities, families experience greater stability and wellbeing.
In some communities in the Ashanti Region, men who once believed household work and maternal health were solely women’s concerns now accompany their wives to health facilities and participate more actively at home. Elders describe these changes as positive and practical rather than disruptive. These are small adjustments with lasting impact.
MEN AS ALLIES IN WORKPLACES AND PUBLIC LIFE
Gender equity extends beyond the home into workplaces and public decision-making spaces. For many years, women in Ghana were underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles across sectors. The passage of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act, 2024 represents a significant step toward addressing this imbalance.
At the launch of the law, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection emphasised that the Act is not merely symbolic but intended to bring real change to leadership structures across the country. While the law sets a framework, its success ultimately depends on implementation.
At a policy dialogue organised by the University of Ghana’s Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy, participants stressed that without deliberate action, even the strongest laws risk remaining on paper. Men in leadership positions therefore carry a responsibility to support fair recruitment practices, mentor women, and foster respectful work environments.
In recent national discourse, President John Dramani Mahama publicly asserted that gender equity is essential to good governance and pledged that his government would strive to allocate at least thirty percent of key appointments to women as part of its broader commitment to inclusion. His statement signals that gender equity is not merely rhetorical but a matter of public policy that shapes institutions and determines how opportunities are shared.
Inclusive workplaces benefit everyone: Productivity improves, Innovation increases, Institutions become more representative of the society they serve.
MEN AND THE PREVENTION OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
One of the most critical areas where men’s allyship is needed is in addressing gender-based violence. Violence against women and girls continues to affect families and communities across Ghana, often hidden by silence and stigma.
A report by Deutsche Welle has highlighted how Ghanaian men are increasingly joining campaigns to prevent gender-based violence and promote respectful relationships. In some communities, men educate their peers, speak out against abuse, and encourage victims to seek support.
A male advocate in Kumasi once reflected that he used to believe gender issues were women’s problems. It was only after witnessing the impact of violence on children and families that his perspective changed. He explained that strength should be used to protect dignity, not to dominate.
RAISING BOYS AS FUTURE ALLIES
The future of gender equity in Ghana rests with today’s boys. The values they absorb at home and in school will shape how they relate to women as adults. When boys see men who model respect, empathy, and shared responsibility, they are more likely to carry those values forward.
Public discussions supported by development partners continue to emphasise that national development goals cannot be achieved without the meaningful involvement of men and boys. Gender equity is not a side issue; it is central to social and economic progress.
MOVING FROM POLICY TO PRACTICE
Ghana has made important strides through policy and legislation, but progress depends on everyday action. Government institutions, traditional authorities, religious bodies, civil society organisations, and families all have roles to play.
As noted during the University of Ghana policy dialogue, policy without implementation is simply delayed justice. This reminder underscores the need for sustained commitment beyond declarations and laws.
A SHARED PATH FORWARD
Men do not lose their place in society by supporting gender equity. Rather, they help build stronger homes, safer communities, and a more inclusive nation. Gender equity is not a competition between men and women; it is a partnership.
Every man can be an ally. It begins with listening. It grows through action. And it succeeds when we recognise that Ghana’s progress depends on all of us moving forward together.
SAMUEL NII ADU OFOLIQUAYE
ASSISTANT INFORMATION OFFICER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIT
MINISTRY OF GENDER, CHILDREN & SOCIAL PROTECTION
ISD STAFF
s.ofoliquaye@gmail.com
