University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh AN EXAMINATION OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING WOMEN IN GHANA’S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION (2000-2019) BY: MAXINE ADWOA ANSAH (10701880) THIS DISSERTATION IS SUBMITED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF AN MA IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND DIPLOMACY DEGREE LEGON DECEMBER 2019 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I, hereby declare that this dissertation is the result of an original research conducted under the supervision of Dr. Yao Gebe and that all references have been duly acknowledged. This dissertation has not been presented either in whole or in part to any other educational institution for any purpose. …………………………………… …………………………………….. MAXINE ADWOA ANSAH DR. YAO GEBE (STUDENT) (SUPERVISOR) …………………………….. ……………………………………... DATE DATE i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my mummy, Cecilia Mbroba Baah. Your love and prayers have made this possible. Thank you. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT My sincere gratitude goes to God Almighty for His divine strength, direction, teaching and counsel which have guided my work. My appreciation goes to my mummy, Cecilia Mbroba Baah, my aunt Mrs. Julie Asante, my friends Annie Adu-Gyamfi and Michael Kojo Adams for their constant check-ups, words of encouragement and all the sacrifices they made to ensure that I completed this work. To my LECIAD classmates who helped in a myriad of ways to help me finish this work, thank you. To my supervisor, Dr. Yao Gebe thank you for your patience, concern, support and counsel for this dissertation. I also want to acknowledge the respondents used for this study, for their willingness and making the time to provide me with the data needed for this study. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh LIST OF ACRONYMS AASU African Students Union ANC African National Congress AU African Union DIRCO Department of International Relations and Cooperation EU European Union FFP Feminist Foreign Policy IGO Inter-Governmental Organization IR International Relations KAIPTC Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre MFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs MFARI Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration NAPRM-GC National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council NGO Non-Governmental Organization OAU Organization of African Union OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development UN United Nations UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNSCR United Nations Security Council Resolution VCDR Vienna Convention for Diplomatic Relations iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION....................................................................................................................... i DEDICATION......................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..................................................................................................... iii LIST OF ACRONYMS .......................................................................................................... iv ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER ONE ...................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Background to the Study ...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Statement of the Research Problem ..................................................................................... 5 1.2 Research Questions .............................................................................................................. 6 1.3 Objectives of the Study ........................................................................................................ 6 1.4 Scope of the study ................................................................................................................ 6 1.5 Rationale of the study .......................................................................................................... 7 1.6 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................................ 7 1.7 Literature Review................................................................................................................. 8 1.8 Research Design................................................................................................................. 15 1.9 Research Methodology ...................................................................................................... 16 1.9.1 Sampling Method ............................................................................................................ 17 1.9.2 Sources of data ................................................................................................................ 17 1.9.3 Participant selection ........................................................................................................ 18 1.9.4 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................. 19 1.9.5 Ethical Considerations .................................................................................................... 20 1.9.6 Limitations ...................................................................................................................... 20 1.10 Organization of the study ................................................................................................. 21 CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................... 24 OVERVIEW OF WOMEN IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, AND GHANA’S FOREIGN MINISTRY ......................................................................................................... 24 2.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 24 2.1 Understanding Gender in International Relations .............................................................. 24 2.2 Women in International Relations ..................................................................................... 27 2.3 Women in Diplomacy ........................................................................................................ 29 2.4 Women in the US Foreign Service .................................................................................... 32 2.5 The Swedish Feminist Foreign Policy ............................................................................... 35 2.6 Women in the Foreign Service in Africa ........................................................................... 37 2.7 Ghana’s Foreign Policy Guideline ..................................................................................... 40 v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.8 Overview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration ............................ 42 2.9 Organizational Structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration .... 43 2.10 Foreign Policy Objectives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration 44 2.10.1 Good Neighbourliness .................................................................................................. 44 2.10.2 Regional Integration...................................................................................................... 44 2.10.3 Extra-African Diplomatic Relations ............................................................................. 45 2.10.4 Economic Diplomacy.................................................................................................... 45 2.10.5 Promoting and Protecting the Welfare of Ghanaian Nationals Abroad ........................ 46 2.10.6 Biometric Passports ...................................................................................................... 46 2.11 Women in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration ............................. 46 2.12 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER THREE ............................................................................................................... 54 OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING WOMEN IN GHANA’S MINISTRY OF FORIEGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION .................. 54 3.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 54 3.1 Gender Representation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration ....... 54 3.2 Opportunities of Women in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration ... 55 3.2.1 Recruitment ..................................................................................................................... 55 3.2.2 Promotions and Appointments ........................................................................................ 56 3.2.3 Training and Education ..................................................................................................