President John Dramani Mahama has expressed optimism that Ghana is on the verge of electing its first female President, pointing to the nation’s steady progress in advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Speaking at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing, China, on Monday, October 13, President Mahama said Ghana has made deliberate efforts to integrate gender perspectives into all aspects of national development.
“As the African Union Champion for Gender and Women’s Empowerment, I am proud to say that Ghana remains steadfast in its pursuit of equality for all,” he stated.
Read Also: Health Minister Pleads for Leniency Toward Nurse Queried Over Insulting Remarks
Women in Leadership
The President highlighted Ghana’s notable achievements in promoting women’s representation in leadership positions, citing the election of the country’s first female Vice President and the appointment of several women to top roles in government, the judiciary, security agencies, and other national institutions.
“These are not symbolic gestures; they are deliberate affirmations that women deserve a seat at the highest levels of decision-making,” he said.
“I am confident that, in the very near future, Ghana will break the glass ceiling — and a woman will be President of the Republic.”
Progress in Education and Institutional Reforms
President Mahama also underscored significant strides in girls’ education, noting that Ghana has achieved gender parity in school enrollment, with more girls accessing and completing education than ever before.
He pointed to ongoing institutional reforms and stronger legal frameworks aimed at safeguarding the rights of women and girls. Key among these, he said, are improvements in the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, the Domestic Violence Secretariat, and the Specialised Domestic Violence Courts.
Sustained budgetary support, he added, has enhanced these institutions’ capacity to deliver justice, protection, and social services to survivors of gender-based violence.
A Global Call for Equality
President Mahama’s remarks formed part of his broader appeal for governments and international partners to take bold, transformative actions toward achieving genuine gender equality and empowering women across the world.
“The future we envision is one where every woman and girl has the opportunity to lead, to thrive, and to shape the destiny of her nation,” he concluded.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem