A 200-bed female accommodation Facility funded by the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) has been commissioned at the Army Recruit Training School (ARTS), Shai Hill on Friday 24 January 2025.

The initiative aims to address the accommodation needs of the school and represents a significant advancement in the ongoing efforts to foster a more inclusive environment for women within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

Speaking at the event, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Southern Command, Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Samuel Yeboah Asare, representing the Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, as Guest of Honour, said traditionally, the Ghana Armed Forces' training structures had been geared towards male recruits and officers.

He emphasised that contemporary global trends advocating for gender equality align with the United Nations agenda on women’s peace and security.

He disclosed that in 2024, ARTS trained a total of 830 recruits, of which 224 were female, reflecting the highest intake of female trainees in the institution's history.

Brigadier General Asare expressed gratitude to the Canadian Government and the EIF for their invaluable support, urging ARTS to uphold rigorous maintenance standards for the facility. He said the accommodation would enhance gender equality within the GAF, allowing female recruits to concentrate on their training with the assurance of a secure and comfortable living environment.

He also pointed out that the GAF has taken steps to address gender inclusivity, as evidenced by the growing number of women deployed on UN peacekeeping missions over the years.

The Senior Gender Specialist, United Nations Women, Dr Afua Ansere noted that the facility funded through a one million and five hundred thousand dollars ($1.5) million project demonstrated Ghana’s strong commitment to addressing structural barriers that limited women’s participation in peacekeeping.

Dr Ansere, who spoke on behalf of the Fund Manager of Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF), Deborah Warren Smith, commended GAF for constantly showing strong leadership and making gender inclusivity a key priority, adding that it had continued to champion initiatives that presented the recruitment, retention and deployment of women, ensuring they are well prepared to serve in diverse roles, including combat and leadership.

The Counselor for Political and Public Affairs at the High Commission of Canada to Ghana, Elsa Mouelhi-Rondeau, emphasised that creating safe, welcoming and inclusive environments tailored to women’s needs enhances the appeal of the Ghana Armed Forces to young women. She elaborated that recognising the distinct accommodation and development needs of women was essential for enabling them to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the organization.

Madam Mouelhi-Rondeau disclosed that Canada has contributed seventeen million five hundred thousand dollars ($17,500,000) to the EIF and expresses pride in being a partner of the Ghana Armed Forces in efforts to identify and overcome barriers to women's participation in the military and peace operations globally.