Empowering Queen Mothers to Lead Change: Highlights from the Inception Workshop on Securing Women’s Land and Property Rights

COLANDEF is reaffirming its commitment to advancing women’s land rights in Ghana by empowering Queen Mothers to play an active role in land governance and policymaking. Through the Securing Women’s Land and Property Rights Project, we are working to transform Queen Mothers into advocates and educators who can champion land and property rights for women across the country.

A significant milestone in this initiative took place at the Inception Workshop for Phase 2 of the project, held on 8th and 9th October 2024 at the Golden Key Hotel, Accra. Organized in collaboration with the Queen Mothers' Platform, Ghana (QMP), the workshop welcomed 21 Paramount Queen Mothers from selected traditional areas across Ghana, representing diverse communities such as Osudoku, Ningo, Drobo, Obogu, Prang, Techiman, Akyem Abuakwa, Duayaw Nkwanta, Agona Nsabaa, Mankessim, Senya Breku, Bunkpurugu, Ahamansu, Buipe, Mafi, Logba, Sefwi Wiawso, Upper Dixcove, and Busua. The President of the QMP, Nana Amponsah Dokua III, was also in attendance, as her traditional area was one of those participating in the project. .

The primary goal of the workshop was to equip Queen Mothers with the knowledge and tools needed to educate women within their respective traditional areas about land and property rights. Recognizing the critical role that Queen Mothers play as custodians of culture and influential figures in their communities, the workshop aimed to harness their unique position to drive  change at the local level. This approach seeks to empower Queen Mothers to lead efforts that challenge cultural and societal norms impeding women's access to land.

In a harmonious blend of cultural celebration and progressive advocacy, the Republic of Ghana witnessed a momentous occasion on August 22, 2023. Led by the gracious presence of the 1st Lady, Rebecca Akufo Addo, the event brought together Queen mothers from the Greater Accra Region to commemorate the Homowo season. Beyond the festivities, the gathering shone a spotlight on issues central to the well-being of women and girls. Amidst the vibrant atmosphere, discussions revolved around the noteworthy "WeAreEqual" campaign, an initiative by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) aimed at advancing gender equity across the continent. With influential voices converging, this gathering proved that tradition and modern progress can intertwine to create a brighter, more equitable future for all.

In a remarkable display of dedication to education and community welfare, Paramount Queen Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II of the Great Ningo Traditional Area has taken a proactive step towards bolstering the confidence and success of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates. During a two-day visit to schools within the Greater Accra Region, the Queen personally delivered essential examination materials and sanitary pads to the candidates, while also offering invaluable counsel to alleviate any exam-related fears. Her commitment to education was further underscored as she announced a sponsorship program aimed at supporting high-achieving students through their secondary and tertiary education. The initiative, conducted through her foundation, the Manye Dugbakuwor Foundation, also saw participation from prominent community leaders and political figures, signaling a united effort in fostering educational progress. This exceptional endeavor reflects Queen Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II's unwavering dedication to empowering the youth and fostering a brighter future for the Great Ningo Traditional Area.

The 3rd Annual Conference and Workshop, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in partnership with the Queen Mothers' Platform and the Bono Regional Queen Mothers, recently took place. The event aimed to advance the role of Queen Mothers in Customary Land Governance in Ghana and increase their recognition and representation in policy discussions. COLANDEF has been providing support to the Queen Mothers' Platform in achieving these goals.

COLANDEF has since 2018 supported the setting up of the Queen Mothers’ Platform, Ghana with the aim of bringing all Queen mothers in Ghana under one umbrella platform and building their capacities for inclusion in policy spaces to promote socio-economic development and the affairs of women and children in the various communities. By way of advancing their roles in customary governance in their various traditional areas, the Queenmothers with continuous support from COLANDEF are working towards becoming more legitimate and recognized for representation and voice as a traditional leaders' platform for policy-level engagements.

COLANDEF with support from the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, has been partnering with members of the Queen Mothers' Platform-Ghana in their respective regions and traditional areas to increase knowledge and awareness on land rights and land rights protection for women.

One of the strategic allies of the Queen Mothers’ Platform, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) organized a program for some selected members of the Queen Mothers’ Platform. The program was dubbed […]

The Queen Mothers’ Platform-Ghana (QMP) held a General Meeting from 12th to 14th October 2022 at the Miklin Hotel in Accra. The meeting brought together representatives from all the Regional Executives of the Platform. The main objectives […]

The members of the Queen Mothers Platform were invited to participate in the stakeholder engagement meeting on Energy Transition. The venue was at the National House of Chief, Manhyia, Kumasi.

On the 11th of May 2022, the Lands Commission organized a capacity-building workshop with the theme, ‘Sensitization on the Land Act, 2020' (Act 1036). This workshop event, which was held at the GIMPA Executive Conference Centre in Accra, was developed specifically for the Queen Mothers’ Platform to elevate our knowledge and insight into the new Land Act.

On Tuesday, 8th March 2022, the National Executive Council of the Queen Mothers’ Platform joined other stakeholders in Ghana to celebrate International Women’s Day, a day set aside by the UN to remember the fight for gender equality and to create awareness of the barriers women face in all spheres of life.

The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) organized a program for Queen mothers under the theme: The Role of Women Traditional Leaders in the Reformed Local Governance System. The role of women in the local governance system was outlined and discussed. Challenges women face in their leadership positions were also identified. It was very intriguing to find out that Ghana is ranked at 147th position out of 193 states when it comes to women's representation in Parliament.

With support from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in Ghana, the Queen Mothers’ Platform-Ghana, has organized a national conference for its members, under the theme ‘Arbitration in Democracy and Governance-the Role of Queen Mothers’ […]

The Queen Mothers’ Platform - Ghana joins the United Nations in commemorating the fourth International Day of Education under the theme "Changing Course, Transforming Education’’.

Education is a human right, a public good, and a public responsibility. This year's celebration will serve as a spotlight for the most important changes that must be promoted […]

The Queen Mother’s Platform-Ghana is committed to giving every child a better future. Children have the right to the best health care available, clean drinking water, nutritious food, and a clean and safe environment in which to grow up.

The engagement with the Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice was to solicit and seek redress -of various customary laws that are applied to exclude the Queen mothers from customary land governance and decision-making. As a way of seeking their collective rights to be respected, recognized as a consultative platform, various policy actors are being engaged to create awareness of their limitations in participating in customary land governance and policy decisions.

A delegation from the QMP's National Executives met with the Management Team of the Lands Commission in Ghana on October 29th, 2021. This engagement forms part of the efforts to have Queen mothers' collective rights recognized, respected, and included as a consultative platform for traditional leadership.

Queen Mothers are an important feature of Traditional Leadership in Ghana. They are the female counterparts of male traditional leaders known as Chiefs. Because of their role in community leadership and customary land governance, Traditional Leaders have played an important role in policy dialogue over the years.

Many state agencies and development organizations who need to include Traditional Leaders in their development programing or policy work would usually approach them through their consultative platforms at […]