President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s strong commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, declaring that the country is “nearing gender parity” and steadily transforming the landscape of leadership and opportunity for women.
Speaking at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Beijing, President Mahama said Ghana’s progress reflects years of deliberate reforms, institutional strengthening, and the inclusion of women at all levels of national decision-making.
“Presidents and Heads of State, Excellencies, I wish to extend warm greetings from the Government and people of Ghana as we gather for this important Global Leaders’ Meeting.
“This meeting presents an invaluable opportunity for us to reaffirm our shared commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls worldwide and to assess the progress that we have made under the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He stressed that thirty years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, its message remains as urgent as ever: no nation can truly progress if half of its population is left behind.
“The Beijing Declaration was never just a statement of intent; it was a moral covenant. And yet, as we review its implementation, persistent gaps and structural barriers continue to slow our collective march towards equality. We must therefore act with even greater resolve and innovation.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Ghana’s Historic Strides
President Mahama noted that Ghana has made historic strides under his administration, with women now occupying leadership positions across government, the judiciary, the security services, and national institutions.
“We have achieved significant milestones, including the election of Ghana’s first female Vice President and the unprecedented appointment of women to leadership positions in government, the judiciary, the security services, and key national institutions.
“These are not symbolic gestures, but deliberate affirmations that women deserve a seat at the table of the highest levels of decision-making.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Expressing optimism about the future, the President added, “I am confident that in the very near future, our women will break the glass ceiling, and there will be a woman President of the Republic of Ghana.”
Highlighting Ghana’s achievements in education, President Mahama revealed that the country has now achieved gender parity in school enrollment. “Girls are going to school and staying in school,” he said, emphasizing that this progress results from sustained investments in education and gender-sensitive social policies.
He outlined key institutional reforms aimed at protecting women and promoting equality. These include strengthening of critical agencies, including the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service, the Domestic Violence Secretariat, and the Specialized Domestic Violence Courts.
According to him, sustained budgetary support has enhanced these institutions’ capacity to deliver justice, protection, and social support to survivors of gender-based violence. The President further highlighted Ghana’s comprehensive social protection and empowerment programs that directly benefit women and girls.
“We have expanded the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Program, which targets female-headed households, and the Ghana School Feeding Programme, which improves nutrition and school retention—especially for girls—while supporting local farmers.”.
President John Dramani Mahama
He added that a policy reserving 50 percent of microfinance and small-scale loan funding for women entrepreneurs has helped advance financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment.
Other interventions, he said, include the nationwide distribution of sanitary pads for schoolgirls to address menstrual health challenges and reduce absenteeism, free tertiary education for persons with disabilities—particularly women—and a stress-free academic policy for first-year tertiary students.
President Mahama also mentioned the soon-to-be-launched Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, which aims to guarantee equitable access to treatment for non-communicable diseases, especially among vulnerable groups.
“These interventions, are anchored in a strong legal and policy framework that protects the rights of women and strengthens their participation in development.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Landmark Legislative and Policy Measures
He outlined some of the landmark legislative and policy measures undertaken by his administration, including the revised National Gender Policy, the Ghana National Social Protection Act, the Domestic Violence Act, the Human Trafficking Act, and the Justice for Children Policy.
A major milestone, the President emphasized, is Ghana’s new Affirmative Action Act, which mandates a minimum of 30 percent female representation in public appointments by the end of 2026, 35 percent by the end of 2028, and 50 percent by 2030.
“This is a bold and transformative step. It ensures that women will play an equal role in shaping public policy and driving national development.”
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama also announced plans for the establishment of a Women’s Development Bank that will provide low-interest loans, financial literacy training, and business development support for women entrepreneurs. “This initiative is designed to advance financial inclusion and expand opportunities for women across all sectors of our economy,” he explained.
Calls for Global Action
Turning to the global context, the President cautioned that shifting geopolitical dynamics and economic uncertainties threaten to erode the gains made by women under the Millennium Development Goals and the ongoing Sustainable Development Goals.
“The global multilateral order and our rules-based trading systems are being jettisoned and giving way to more unilateral actions by some global players.
“In this unpredictable environment, we must focus on safeguarding the gains made by our women and other vulnerable groups since the Beijing conference 30 years ago.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He called on fellow African leaders to prioritize the empowerment of women across the continent. “The African woman is particularly vulnerable. I wish to use this platform to call on my African leaders to focus on the welfare and empowerment of African women,” the President urged.
In his closing remarks, President Mahama reminded the gathering that gender equality is not merely a question of justice but a foundation for national and global progress.
“Gender equality is not just a matter of justice; it is a driver of sustainable development. When women thrive, families prosper, communities are stronger, and nations progress.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Reflecting on Ghana’s experience, he concluded, “Investing in women yields measurable dividends in productivity, innovation, and social cohesion”, he remarked.
“As we look to Beijing plus 30, I call on all governments and partners to move beyond platitudes and commit to transformative action. Together, we can make the next decade one of bold progress and shared prosperity for women and girls worldwide.”
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama’s address in Beijing reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering commitment to gender equality, signaling a new era of bold leadership, inclusivity, and empowerment for women across Africa and beyond.
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