President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to gender equality as a central pillar of national development, stating that the country has moved beyond symbolic gestures to concrete action.
Addressing the Zambia National Assembly, he emphasized that investing in women is not merely a social obligation but a strategic necessity for accelerating national growth.
President Mahama noted that across Africa, women remain underrepresented in decision-making, underserved in access to education, finance, and land, and disproportionately affected by poverty.
He argued that no nation can achieve sustainable development while sidelining half of its population. According to him, gender equality must be viewed not as an abstract ideal, but as a measurable development goal with real economic and social returns.
Drawing on Ghana’s experience, Mahama highlighted deliberate policies and reforms aimed at empowering women and girls. These include expanding access to education, supporting women entrepreneurs, improving maternal health services, and promoting women’s participation in governance and leadership. Such interventions, he said, demonstrate a shift from rhetoric to results.
He stressed that when women are educated, economically empowered, and included in leadership, families are stronger, communities are more resilient, and national productivity increases. Investments in women, Mahama explained, lead to better health outcomes, improved educational attainment for children, and more inclusive economic growth.
Addressing legislators directly, President Mahama urged African governments to mainstream gender equality into national development planning rather than treating it as a peripheral issue. He called for stronger legal protections, equitable access to resources, and sustained political will to dismantle structural barriers that limit women’s potential.
He also emphasized the role of men and institutions in advancing gender equality, noting that progress requires collective responsibility and cultural change. Empowering women, he said, does not weaken societies—it strengthens them.
President Mahama reaffirmed that Ghana’s development vision is anchored in inclusivity and fairness. By investing intentionally in women, he stated, nations not only correct historical injustices but unlock faster, more sustainable development.
