The initiative, launched to mark the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), places women and young people at the centre of national development, linking inclusive governance to employment, democratic legitimacy, stability and long-term prosperity.

Madam Tchintchibidja made the call in Accra at a Ministerial Meeting held on the sidelines of the regional consultation on Political Participation and Leadership of Women and Young People in West Africa.

The four-day event, which ended on Friday, February 20, brought together key stakeholders for dialogue and high-level advocacy.

She said the ‘Legacy Project’ was not merely a regional programme but a framework to be shaped and driven by national leadership.

“You are not mere stakeholders – you are its architects,” she said, explaining that the instruments were designed to reinforce, not replace, national ownership.

The Vice-President noted that the initiative came at a critical time as ECOWAS reflected on five decades of progress and challenges while charting a more decisive path for the future.

The project would strengthen national reform efforts by providing collective political leverage, she added.

Madam Tchintchibidja called on leaders to invest in durable institutions and inclusive leadership that reflected the diversity of West African societies.

“History will remember this generation of leaders not for what we said, but for what we enabled,” she said.

Dr Isata Mahoi, Chairperson of ECOWAS Ministers Responsible for Gender, said the continued exclusion of women and young people from decision-making weakened democracy and slowed development.

“Their exclusion is not only a democratic deficit but a missed opportunity for transformation,” she noted, urging ministers to dismantle structural barriers and amplify their voices to become architects of the region’s democratic future.

Mr Ruben K. D. Johnson, Senior Advisor to the Vice-President of the Commission, stressed that effective human capital development and meaningful political and economic participation could not be achieved without women and the youth.

He expressed concern over the low political representation of women at all levels despite existing legal frameworks.

Mrs Sandra Oulaté Fattoh, the Director of the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development, said women’s leadership must improve to strengthen the region’s gender index, calling for binding legislative measures.

She added that young people should be recognised not only as mobilisers during elections but as governance actors, with leadership capacity strengthened through networks and mentoring initiatives.

Mrs Fattoh urged innovative and consensus-driven approaches to advance women’s participation in line with Vision 2050: “An ECOWAS of the Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All.”

Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Ghana’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said the country was repositioning young people as active partners in governance.

She said the government was addressing structural, institutional, financial and socio-cultural barriers that limited the participation of women and the youth.

She reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment in line with regional and international frameworks.