Civil Society unites in Accra to advance family law reforms and women’s rights in Ghana

The plush conference hall of Alisa Hotel in Accra on September 10, 2025, buzzed with energy as civil society organizations, legal experts, women’s rights advocates, and policy actors gathered for a two-day workshop titled: “Advancing Family Law Reforms and Promoting Women’s Rights in Ghana”.

Organized by the Initiative for Gender Equality and Development in Africa (IGED-Africa) in collaboration with the Solidarity of African Women’s Rights Network (SOAWR), hosted by Equality Now, Kenya, the event aimed to reflect on Ghana’s family law reform efforts, focusing on the implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), advocacy for the Property Rights of Spouses Bill, and the Intestate Succession Bill, while aligning with the Maputo Protocol’s call for gender equality across Africa.

The interactive discussions fostered open dialogue, experience-sharing, and a collective resolve to address legal gaps and build unified advocacy strategies.

Sylvia Horname Noagbesenu, Executive Director of IGED-Africa, opened the workshop with a passionate call to action, emphasizing that family law affects everyone, not just legal professionals.

“As long as you’re a human being, you belong to a family,” she said, underscoring the need to address family law issues to improve lives and communities.

She traced IGED-Africa’s origins to challenges in property rights, land rights, and intestate succession, highlighting the organization’s commitment to gender equality.

Noagbesenu acknowledged the partnership with Equality Now and the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), stressing that no single organization can tackle these issues alone.

“One organization cannot work on an island,” she noted, urging like-minded groups to unite in this daunting task.

Esther Waweru, Senior Legal Advisor at Equality Now, built on this momentum, framing the workshop as a follow-up to a March 2024 regional consultation in Kampala, where Ghana was identified as a priority country due to its progress in advocating for the Affirmative Action Bill.

She congratulated the Affirmative Action Coalition for securing the passage of the 2024 Act but pointed out persistent gaps, including the delayed Spousal Property Rights Bill and Intestate Succession Amendment Bill.

Waweru posed critical questions to guide the discussions: How can the Affirmative Action Act translate into tangible results? Why have constitutional mandates for spousal property rights remained unfulfilled for over three decades? And how can civil society strengthen advocacy amidst political and cultural resistance?

She emphasized the Maputo Protocol’s call for equal rights in marriage and family relations, urging alignment with international human rights standards.

Mrs. Sheila Minka-Premo, Convenor of the Affirmative Action Law Coalition, presented on the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, detailing its provisions to promote gender equality in political, social, economic, educational, and cultural spheres, including public offices, the judiciary, trade unions, and gender-responsive budgeting.

She celebrated the Act’s passage on July 30, 2024, after years of advocacy, but noted challenges like limited public awareness and inadequate funding for implementation.

Participants called for robust monitoring mechanisms and public education campaigns, with some representatives emphasizing grassroots sensitization and others suggesting media platforms to amplify advocacy efforts.

Lois Aduamoah-Addo, Program Manager at Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), discussed Ghana’s Intestate Succession Law and the pending Intestate Succession Bill.

She explained that the 1985 law aimed to protect widows and children but is weakened by customary and religious practices that disadvantage women.

The proposed bill seeks to ensure equitable estate distribution, but faces resistance from traditional leaders and parliamentary delays.

Aduamoah-Addo urged civil society to push for the bill’s passage before the 2025 legislative session ends.

Attendees shared stories of widows facing disinheritance, with one recounting a case of a widow evicted from her matrimonial home, sparking calls for legal literacy programs to empower women.

Minka-Premo returned to address the Spousal Property Rights Bill, mandated by Ghana’s 1993 Constitution but stalled for over three decades.

The bill aims to ensure equitable property distribution in marriage, addressing inequalities in divorce or upon a spouse’s death. Cultural resistance and lack of political prioritization were cited as barriers, prompting discussions on engaging religious leaders and integrating gender equality into school curricula.

Participants brought diverse perspectives to the table.

The open dialogue fostered a sense of shared purpose, with attendees pledging to form a coalition to monitor the Affirmative Action Act’s implementation and advocate for the Spousal Property Rights and Intestate Succession Bills.

Noagbesenu urged participants to remain committed, stating, “Your presence here shows your dedication. Let’s keep nudging each other to create a conducive environment for all.”

Waweru reaffirmed Equality Now’s support, noting that “when women are guaranteed equality within the family, they will contribute more to society.”

The two-day event marked a pivotal moment in Ghana’s gender equality journey, celebrating the Affirmative Action Act’s passage while highlighting the urgent need to address gaps in spousal property rights and intestate succession.

With a renewed sense of solidarity and a clear action plan, civil society, supported by IGED-Africa, Equality Now, and AWDF, is poised to drive transformative change, ensuring women and girls in Ghana enjoy equality, dignity, and justice under the law.