President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s strong commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women held in Beijing, China, on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Speaking in his capacity as the African Union (AU) Champion for Gender and Development Issues, President Mahama called for a renewed moral and political will to ensure that progress made by nations remains inclusive and does not come at the expense of women and girls.
He highlighted Ghana’s strides in promoting gender equality, noting the election of the country’s first female Vice President and the appointment of women to key positions across government, the judiciary, and security services.
The summit, co-hosted by China and UN Women, brought together global leaders to deliberate on strategies to strengthen women’s rights, boost economic empowerment, and enhance political participation.
President Mahama’s participation, according to observers, reflects Ghana’s unwavering commitment to gender mainstreaming and women’s development in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The President emphasized that the gathering “reaffirms the shared commitments made during the Beijing Conference 30 years ago for the empowerment of women and girls.”
He noted that “Ghana on its part has resolved to remain committed and has taken decisive measures to mainstream gender.”
President Mahama cited significant achievements, including the election of Ghana’s first female Vice President and the appointment of women to strategic national positions. He expressed optimism that with sustained support, “women could break the glass ceiling and advance to lead the country.”
Touching on education, he disclosed that Ghana has achieved gender parity in school enrollment and assured that government remains dedicated to sustaining the progress through strengthened institutions and adequate budget allocations for social intervention programmes.
He mentioned the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, which particularly targets female-headed households, as one of the key interventions promoting gender equity.
President Mahama further revealed ongoing efforts to establish a Women’s Development Bank, an initiative that aligns with the AU’s declaration of 2020–2030 as the Decade of African Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion.
He stressed the importance of consolidating gains made in women’s empowerment while putting in place mechanisms to close existing gaps.
In concluding his address, President Mahama appealed to fellow leaders, saying that as the AU Champion for Gender and Development Issues, he was urging them “to focus on women empowerment for sustainable development and also commit to transformative actions.”
