Exploring Factors Enabling and Constraining Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Ghana: Perspectives from Practitioners

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) has gained growing prominence globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where persistent gender and social disparities continue to hinder equitable development. In Ghana, despite significant progress in institutionalizing gender mainstreaming through national policies and frameworks, translating these commitments into transformative outcomes remains a challenge. This study thus aimed to explore the factors that enable or constrain GESI in Ghana, drawing on the perspectives of practitioners selected across multiple institutional domains. Anchored in Intersectionality Theory, data were collected from 20 participants in a qualitative inquiry. The findings reveal that institutional reforms, advocacy, and training initiatives are advancing GESI implementation in Ghana; however, systemic barriers, including limited resources, entrenched socio-cultural norms, and fluctuating political will, continue to undermine progress. The study concludes that achieving sustained GESI transformation in Ghana requires intersectionality-informed, multi-sectoral, and context-responsive policy and practice interventions.