The First Lady, Lordina Dramani Mahama, has called on Ghanaians to take practical and sustained actions to promote gender equality, saying investing in women and girls remains critical to the country’s social and economic progress.
She encouraged citizens to reflect on what they would “Give to Gain gender equality”, referencing the global theme for the occasion, as Ghana joined the rest of the world to mark the event yesterday.
She asked: “Will you mentor a young woman starting her own business? Will you advocate for your daughter’s education as passionately as you do for your son’s? Will you support policies that promote equal opportunities in your workplace and community?”.
In her message to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026, Mrs Dramani Mahama urged the public to always remember that investing in women brought benefits.
“When women succeed, families flourish, communities thrive and the nation advances,” she said.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is observed globally each year on March 8 to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and to call for accelerated action towards gender equality.
The day, which has been recognised internationally since the early 20th Century and formally by the United Nations in 1977, provides a platform for governments, organisations and communities to reflect on progress made and to renew commitments to women’s rights and empowerment.
The global theme for this year’s celebration was: “Give To Gain”, emphasising the importance of investing in women and girls.
This year’s campaign urges individuals and institutions to contribute time, resources, mentorship and opportunities, with the belief that when women were supported to thrive, families, communities and nations benefit.
Shared responsibility
Drawing inspiration from an Akan proverb, the First Lady said it was never late to return for what had been left behind, and consequently urged the nation to go back and lift up every woman and girl who might have been left behind, insisting that “in their rise, Ghana rises”.
“When we provide opportunities for our market women in Makola, mentorship for our young tech entrepreneurs in Accra, or training for our shea butter producers in the Northern Region, we don’t diminish our resources — we multiply our nation’s prosperity,” she added.
Mrs Dramani Mahama said she was proud of the progress the country had achieved, including increased interest in and enrolment of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, support for women farmers through cooperative strengthening, and the rise of more women leaders in district assemblies, the corporate sector and boardrooms.
Yet, she said, there was more work to be done, adding that “many talented girls continue to drop out of school, capable women still lack access to funding, and many voices are still missing from decision-making processes”.
Policy support
Mrs Dramani Mahama said the Affirmative Action Act had created opportunities for women, while initiatives such as the Women’s Development Bank by the current government would support thousands of female entrepreneurs across the country.
She said the country’s mothers and grandmothers bequeathed rich traditions of communal support through “nnoboa” and “susu”, and urged citizens to channel the same spirit towards achieving true gender equality.
“Give to Gain,” she urged.“God bless our homeland, Ghana!”.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh