By Emmanuel Opare Djan
The President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has reaffirmed his strong commitment to advancing womens empowerment, describing gender equality as a critical driver of national development and continental progress.
Speaking at a side event during the 39th Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, President Mahama urged African leaders to treat womens advancement as a fundamental pillar for the continents transformation.
President Mahama, who served as Guest of Honour at a high-level breakfast meeting on financing and reaffirming Africas gender commitments, challenged African leaders to develop gender-sensitive policies that promote inclusiveness and stimulate the economic growth necessary to overcome existing development challenges.
He stressed that engagement and gender discourse across the continent must deliver measurable results rather than serve as platforms for excuses or explanations for delays.
Highlighting Ghanas progress, President Mahama referenced the countrys passage of the Affirmative Action legislation by Parliament and the appointment of women to key leadership positions within government, including the Vice Presidency. He expressed optimism that Ghana could, in the not-too-distant future, elect a female President.
He emphasized that pragmatic gender policies and sustainable financing are essential to accelerating progress.
Various women leaders from the AU, the United Nations, and other institutions made passionate appeals to African governments to adopt practical, gender-sensitive policies anchored in inclusiveness and sustainable financing as part of national development strategies aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and global priorities under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
They stressed that governments must anchor leadership on transparency, good governance, and accountability, while ensuring equal opportunities for women and children.
According to the speakers, governments have a social obligation to honour their commitments to advancing progress for all citizens, particularly women and children, who remain central to sustainable development across the continent.
They reminded African leaders of their pledge under Agenda 2063 a blueprint and master plan aimed at transforming Africa into a global powerhouse of the future. The strategic framework seeks to deliver inclusive and sustainable development and reflects the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress, and collective prosperity.
Agenda 2063 on Women, Youth and Children
Agenda 2063 underscores the removal of all legal and social obstacles preventing women from owning or inheriting property and businesses, with a target that at least one in five women should have access to and control of productive assets.
It also promotes gender parity in control, representation, and advancement across all AU organs and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
The framework calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, including child labour, exploitation, child marriage, trafficking, and harmful social norms and customary practices.
These commitments, when fulfilled, will position women to contribute fully and maximize their potential toward the socio-economic development of Africa.
Speaker after speaker expressed deep appreciation to President Mahama for his continued commitment to championing gender empowerment across the continent
