The Ghana Women's Movement has called a demonstration for September 29, 2026, in Accra, demanding an end to the arrest, remand, and imprisonment of women over their political speech. The movement, convened by Janet Asana Nabla, is protesting what it describes as increasing intimidation of Ghanaian women for exercising their free expression. Women from various sectors, including market women, salon owners, and dressmakers, are expected to participate in the march.
The demonstration, dubbed the "Women's Voices Matter Demonstration," will draw participants from political parties, market associations, salons, dressmaking shops, offices, and households, with male sympathizers also invited to join. The march is scheduled to begin at 6 am at Opera Square in Accra. The movement's conveners span party lines, including Janet Asana Nabla, Chairperson of the People's National Party; Betty Akuffo Amoabeng, Chairperson and Leader of the National Democratic Party; Elizabeth Sam, running mate of the Liberal Party of Ghana; and Akosua Asaa Manu, Advisor on Gender and Social Protection to the New Patriotic Party's flagbearer.
The call for a demonstration comes amid a string of recent cases that have put women's online and political speech under scrutiny. The case of the so-called 'Ghana Jollof' TikToker, identified by police as UK-based Barbara Kodua, and the ongoing custody battle of nurse Salomey Baffoe, whose lawyer has raised concerns about her health while in detention, have fueled debate over how authorities handle women accused of making political statements online or in public.
Beyond the immediate demand to stop arresting women for speech, the movement is pushing for the full implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024. The Act is Ghana's law designed to boost women's representation in leadership and decision-making positions across government and public institutions. The organisers say they are tired of promises and want to see the law actually put into practice.
The group is also demanding wider economic opportunities for women, including better access to capital, employment, and support for women-owned businesses. The movement says it will present a petition to Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, setting out its concerns and demands around dignity, equality, freedom of expression, women's empowerment, and equal treatment.
No response from the Vice President's office or government has been reported so far. For many Ghanaian women, particularly those without political connections or legal resources, the outcome of this push could shape how freely they feel they can speak about politics, governance, and public affairs without fear of ending up in a police cell.
The march itself is set for 6 am on September 29 at Opera Square in Accra, and no further details on the route or expected numbers have been made public yet. The Ghana Women's Movement's efforts have brought together women from diverse backgrounds, united in their quest for equality and freedom of expression.
Key points
- The Ghana Women's Movement is demanding an end to the arrest and imprisonment of women for exercising their free speech.
- The movement is pushing for the full implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024.
- The demonstration aims to present a petition to Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, setting out concerns and demands around dignity, equality, and women's empowerment.
