The Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Daniel Fenyi, has intensified calls for tertiary institutions in Ghana to replace the Women’s Commissioner role in Student Representative Council (SRC) structures with Gender Commissioner.

In a statement, Mr Fenyi said the proposed change reflects a more comprehensive and contemporary understanding of representation, inclusion, and advocacy within student governance.

According to him, the “Women Commissioner” position emerged during a period when the focus was primarily on creating space for women’s voices in male-dominated institutional structures.

He noted, however, that gender-related challenges have evolved into broader concerns that also involve men as key actors, making inclusivity necessary.

“A ‘Gender Commissioner’ better captures this inclusivity,” he stated, explaining that advocacy should not only focus on empowering women but also on educating and engaging men on gender-related issues.

Mr Fenyi further pointed to Ghana’s policy direction, citing the transition from the former Ministry of Women and Children Affairs to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection as evidence of a broader gender-focused framework.

He argued that tertiary institutions, as centres of intellectual leadership and progressive thought, should align their SRC structures with current national and global developments.

According to him, changing the title from “Women Commissioner” to “Gender Commissioner” would not weaken attention on women’s welfare but rather strengthen advocacy efforts by addressing issues within a broader gender framework.

He mentioned concerns such as sexual harassment, unequal access to opportunities, exploitation, sex-for-grades, gender-based violence, masculinity, mental health, and inclusivity as issues that require a wider and more inclusive approach.

Mr Fenyi added that governance roles communicate institutional values and that retaining the “Women Commissioner” title may project an outdated understanding of gender advocacy.

He acknowledged concerns that expanding the role could dilute focus on women’s issues but maintained that a gender-focused approach would instead strengthen interventions by recognising the wider social dynamics involved.

“For me, expanding the Women Commissioner role to Gender Commissioner is both a practical and ideological step forward,” he stated.

He said the proposed change would align SRC governance with national policy direction and contemporary academic and social thinking.