Greater Accra and Bono Regions lead in women’s empowerment – GSS Report

The Greater Accra and Bono Regions have emerged as the highest-ranked regions for women's status in Ghana, according to an upcoming Status of Women in Ghana Report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). 

The report, which will be released in March 2025, analyses trends in gender equality and female empowerment across the country, highlighting disparities in education, health, and social wellbeing.

The findings, based on data from the 2008, 2014, and 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS), assess women's status using seven key indicators: secondary or higher education, informed decision-making, intimate partner violence, child marriage, teenage childbearing, facility delivery, and overweight or obesity.

According to the report, while Greater Accra and Bono ranked highest in overall female status, the Savannah Region had the lowest average ranking. Savannah was placed 16th in three key indicators—secondary education, intimate partner violence, and teenage childbearing—the most of any region, followed by the North East Region, which ranked last in informed decision-making and child marriage.

The Northern and Savannah regions were the only two to consistently rank in the bottom half across all seven indicators, failing to place higher than ninth in any category. Conversely, Greater Accra was the only region to rank first in multiple indicators, leading in secondary education, informed decision-making, child marriage, and teenage childbearing.

The report also highlights significant gender disparities in access to education, early marriage, and obesity. The North East Region recorded the highest gender gap in education, with a 17.4 percentage point difference between males and females attaining secondary or higher education.

The prevalence of child marriage remains starkly higher among girls than boys, with the North East Region showing a 23.2 percentage point gap, while Greater Accra recorded the lowest gap at 9.5 percentage points.

Obesity rates also show a striking gender divide. The Ashanti Region recorded the highest gender disparity in overweight and obesity prevalence at 36.1 percentage points, with five other regions also showing gaps of more than 30 percentage points.

The release of the Status of Women in Ghana Report coincides with International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, which is being observed under the theme "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment." The findings are expected to inform policy interventions aimed at bridging gender disparities and promoting women’s empowerment nationwide.

The Ghana Statistical Service has encouraged policymakers, civil society groups, and development partners to use the report’s insights to design targeted strategies that will improve gender equality and support women's socio-economic advancement.