President Mahama declares “no nation can truly progress if half of its population is left behind” in powerful address to world leaders
Ghana has positioned itself as a continental leader in gender equality following President John Dramani Mahama’s address at the Global Leaders Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, where he outlined the nation’s achievements and ambitious roadmap for women’s empowerment.
Speaking to an international audience in Beijing, China, President Mahama delivered a stirring call to action, emphasizing that “no nation can truly progress if half of its population is left behind.” The address highlighted Ghana’s remarkable transformation in gender equality over recent years, setting new benchmarks for African nations.
Ghana has shattered several glass ceilings, most notably with the election of the country’s first female vice president and the unprecedented appointment of women to leadership positions across government, judiciary, security services, and key national institutions.
“These are not just symbolic gestures,” President Mahama declared. “They are deliberate affirmations that women deserve a seat at the table at the highest levels of decision-making.”
In a moment of particular significance, the President expressed confidence that Ghana would soon witness its first female president, stating, “I am confident that in the very near future, our women will break the glass ceiling, and there’ll be a woman president of the Republic of Ghana.”
The centrepiece of Ghana’s gender equality drive is the newly enacted Affirmative Action Act, which establishes mandatory female representation targets:
– 30% minimum female representation** in public appointments by 2026
– 35% representation** by 2028
– 50% representation** by 2030
This progressive legislation represents one of the most ambitious gender parity initiatives on the African continent.
Ghana is establishing a groundbreaking “Women’s Development Bank” designed to provide low-interest loans, financial literacy training, and comprehensive business development support to women entrepreneurs nationwide. This initiative complements existing policies that already reserve 50% of microfinance and small-scale loan funding for women-led businesses.
The nation has achieved **gender parity in school enrolment**, ensuring girls not only access education but complete their studies. Supporting this achievement are innovative programs including:
– Ghana School Feeding Program** that sources food locally while improving nutrition and school retention
– Distribution of sanitary pads** to address menstrual health and prevent school absenteeism
– Free tertiary education** for persons with disabilities, with special focus on women
– No academic fee stress policy** for first-year tertiary students
Ghana has strengthened its institutional capacity through robust legal reforms, including:
– Enhanced **Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection**
– Specialized **Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit** within the Ghana Police Service
– Establishment of **specialized domestic violence courts**
– Implementation of the **Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Program** targeting female-headed households
The legal foundation includes revised instruments such as the National Agenda Policy, Ghana National Social Protection Act, Domestic Violence Act, Human Trafficking Act, and Justice for Children Policy.
As the African Union champion for gender and women’s empowerment, President Mahama positioned Ghana’s achievements within the broader context of the Beijing Declaration’s 30-year legacy. He emphasized that the upcoming Beijing plus 30 milestone should become “a turning point that accelerates the realization of gender equality worldwide.”
“Gender equality is not just a matter of justice, it is a driver of sustainable development,” the President stated. “When women thrive, families prosper, communities are stronger, and nations progress.”
President Mahama challenged global leaders to move beyond rhetoric, declaring: “I call on all governments and partners to move beyond platitudes and commitments to commit towards transformative action.”
The President’s vision extends beyond national borders, as he called on African leaders to prioritize the welfare and empowerment of African women, emphasizing that investing in women yields “measurable dividends in terms of productivity, innovation, and social cohesion.”
Ghana’s comprehensive approach to gender equality—spanning political representation, economic empowerment, education, and legal protection—has established the nation as a model for sustainable development through women’s empowerment.
The President concluded his address with a vision for the next decade: “Together, we can make the next decade one of bold progress and shared prosperity for women and girls worldwide.”
As Ghana continues to implement these transformative policies, the international community watches closely, with many experts suggesting that Ghana’s holistic approach could serve as a blueprint for achieving gender equality across the developing world.
