Ghana has reaffirmed its leadership in advancing gender equality on the African continent, calling for decisive action to place women and girls at the centre of Africa’s development agenda.
Speaking at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, John Dramani Mahama underscored that achieving gender parity is a shared continental responsibility and a critical driver of sustainable development and economic growth.
Addressing Heads of State and Government at the African Union Summit, President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s concrete policy actions and investments aimed at empowering women and girls.
He noted that Ghana has committed US$40 million to establish the Women’s Development Bank, achieved gender parity in school enrolment, strengthened national institutions that support women, and enacted the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, which sets binding targets for women’s representation in leadership and decision-making.
“Gender equality must move from the margins to the centre of our budgets, institutions, and leadership,” the President emphasized, adding that inclusive growth cannot be achieved without fully harnessing the potential of women and girls.
President Mahama called on African countries to adopt gender-responsive budgeting, fully implement the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, and accelerate financial inclusion for women and youth as part of broader economic transformation efforts.
He also challenged the private sector to align financing with Africa’s development priorities, stressing that gender equality should be treated not as a social obligation alone, but as a smart and strategic investment with high economic returns.
Ghana’s intervention at the Summit reinforces its broader commitment to championing gender equality as a cornerstone of Africa’s development, positioning women’s empowerment as essential to prosperity, stability, and inclusive growth across the continent.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
