First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to play an active role in promoting gender equality, urging individuals, families, and institutions to support initiatives that empower women and girls across the country.

In a message to mark International Women’s Day 2026, the First Lady encouraged citizens to reflect on what they can personally contribute to advancing equal opportunities for women.

She urged Ghanaians to take practical steps such as mentoring young women starting businesses, supporting girls’ education with the same commitment as boys, and advocating workplace and community policies that ensure equal opportunities for all.

According to Mrs. Mahama, empowering women is not only a matter of fairness but also a pathway to national development.

“When women succeed, families flourish, communities thrive, and the nation advances,” she said.

Referencing the Akan proverb “Se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenkyiri,” which encourages people to go back and retrieve what has been left behind, the First Lady stressed the importance of ensuring that no woman or girl is excluded from progress.

She noted that supporting women across different sectors from market traders in Makola Market to young technology entrepreneurs in Accra, and shea butter producers in the Northern Region will strengthen the country’s overall prosperity.

Mrs. Mahama also highlighted progress Ghana has made in recent years, including increased interest and enrolment of girls in STEM education, support for women farmers through cooperatives, and the growing presence of women in district assemblies, corporate leadership, and boardrooms.

Despite these gains, she noted that many challenges remain, pointing out that several talented girls still drop out of school, many women struggle to access funding for their businesses, and female representation in decision-making spaces remains limited.

The First Lady cited the Affirmative Action Bill and the proposed Women’s Development Bank under the administration of John Dramani Mahama as key initiatives expected to expand economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs nationwide.

She also encouraged a return to traditional Ghanaian systems of mutual support such as nnoboa and susu, which historically helped communities cooperate and support one another economically.

Mrs. Mahama ended her message with a call for collective responsibility in achieving gender equality, urging Ghanaians to embrace the theme “Give to Gain.”

“God bless our homeland, Ghana,” she added.