Beijing: At the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing, China, President John Dramani Mahama has outlined Ghana's expanded many social protection programmes that directly benefit women and girls. He highlighted initiatives such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) initiative that specifically targets female-headed households, as well as the Ghana School Feeding Programme, which sources food locally and improves nutrition and school retention, especially for girls.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama also mentioned a policy reserving 50 per cent of microfinance and small loan funding for women entrepreneurs. Additionally, he cited the nationwide distribution of free sanitary pads for schoolgirls to address menstrual health and prevent absenteeism, as well as free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, particularly women, and the No Academic Fee Policy for first-year tertiary students. The soon-to-be-launched Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund aims to ensure equitable access to treatment for non-communicable diseases, especially for vulnerable groups.
President Mahama emphasized that these interventions are anchored on a robust legal and policy framework, with key instruments like the Revised National Gender Policy (2025-2034), the Ghana National Social Protection Act, the Domestic Violence Act (2007), the Human Trafficking Act (2005), and the Justice for Children Policy. The recently passed Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), mandates a minimum of 30 per cent female representation in public appointments by the end of 2026, increasing to 35 per cent by 2028, and 50 per cent by 2030.
To economically empower women, Ghana is establishing a Women's Development Bank to provide low-interest loans, financial literacy training, and business development support for women entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to promote financial inclusion and create more opportunities for women across all sectors of the economy.
President Mahama expressed concerns about the rapidly changing global order, which threatens the gains made under the Millennium Development Goals and the ongoing Sustainable Development Goals. He noted the shift towards unilateral actions by some global players, emphasizing the need to safeguard the progress made for women and vulnerable groups since the Beijing conference thirty years ago.
Highlighting the vulnerability of African women, President Mahama urged African leaders to focus on the welfare and empowerment of women. He stated that gender equality is more than a matter of justice; it is a catalyst for sustainable development. When women succeed, families thrive, communities become stronger, and nations progress. Ghana's experience demonstrates that investing in women produces tangible benefits in productivity, innovation, and social cohesion.
As the world looks to Beijing +30, President Mahama called on all governments and partners to move beyond platitudes and commit to transformative action. He urged ensuring that this milestone becomes a turning point that accelerates gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide. Together, the global community can make the next decade one of bold progress and shared prosperity for women and girls.
