President John Dramani Mahama has urged world leaders to take decisive and transformative steps to promote gender equality and empower women globally.
Speaking at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing, China, President Mahama said Ghana remains committed to building a more inclusive society where women play an active role in national development.
Highlighting recent progress, he announced the passage of the Ghana Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), which mandates a minimum of 30% female representation in public appointments by the end of 2026, 35% by 2028, and 50% by 2030.
He further revealed that the government is in the process of establishing a Women’s Development Bank to provide low-interest loans, financial literacy training, and business development supportto women entrepreneurs.
The initiative, he explained, is aimed at deepening financial inclusion and creating more opportunities for women across all sectors of the economy.
President Mahama noted that while the world has made progress since the Beijing Conference thirty years ago, recent global challenges are threatening to reverse those gains.
“The global order is changing rapidly, threatening to reverse the gains made under the Millennium Development Goals and the ongoing Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
“In this unpredictable environment, we need to focus on safeguarding the gains made by our women and other vulnerable groups since the Beijing conference.”
He expressed concern about the growing trend of unilateral actions by some global powers, which, he said, undermines the multilateral systems that have supported inclusive growth.
President Mahama also called on African leaders to prioritize the welfare and empowerment of women on the continent, emphasizing that gender equality is essential for sustainable development.
“The African woman is particularly vulnerable, and I wish to use this platform to call on my colleague African leaders to focus on the welfare and empowerment of our women,” he said.
“Gender equality is more than a matter of justice; it is a catalyst for sustainable development.”
He added that Ghana’s experience shows that investing in women yields measurable results in productivity, innovation, and social cohesion.
“When women succeed, families thrive, communities become stronger, and nations progress,” he noted.
As the world prepares to mark Beijing +30, President Mahama urged global partners to move beyond promises and focus on meaningful, transformative action.
“Let us ensure that this milestone becomes a turning point, one that accelerates the realization of gender equality and women’s empowerment all over the world,” he said.
“Together, we can make the next decade one of bold progress and shared prosperity for women and girls worldwide.”
