The global order is changing rapidly, threatening to reverse the gains made under the Millennium Development Goals and the ongoing Sustainable Development Goals.
The global multilateral order and our rules-based trading systems are being jettisoned, giving way to more unilateral actions by some global players
In this unpredictable environment, we need to focus on safeguarding the gains made by our women and other vulnerable groups since the Beijing conference thirty years ago.
President John Dramani Mahama made this admonishment in his address at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing, China, on Monday.
“The African woman is particularly vulnerable, and I wish to use this platform to call on my colleague African leaders to focus on the welfare and empowerment of our women,” he stated
President Mahama described the Beijing Declaration as a moral covenant and not just a statement of intent.
“The Beijing Declaration was never just a statement of intent; it was a moral covenant. It was a recognition that no nation can truly progress if half of its population is left behind,” he said.
He noted that the promise of Beijing still endures after thirty years but calls for renewed urgency and purpose.
“Thirty years on, the promise of Beijing still endures, but it calls for renewed urgency and purpose. Yet, as we review its implementation, persistent gaps and structural barriers continue to slow our collective march toward equality. We must therefore act with even greater resolve and innovation,” he stated.
The President told the gathering that gender equality is a catalyst for sustainable development.
“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,” he said.
He added that investing in women produces tangible benefits.
“Our experience in Ghana demonstrates that investing in women produces tangible benefits in productivity, innovation, and social cohesion,” he stated.
President Mahama outlined several social protection programmes that directly benefit women and girls in Ghana.
He said the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty initiative targets female-headed households.
“The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) initiative. As part of this initiative, we target female-headed households,” he said.
The President noted that the Ghana School Feeding Programme sources food locally and improves nutrition and school retention especially for girls.
“The Ghana School Feeding Programme, which sources food locally and improves nutrition and school retention, especially for girls,” he stated.
He announced that Ghana provides free tertiary education for persons with disability especially women.
“Free tertiary education for persons with disability, especially women, and the No Academic Fee Policy for first-year tertiary students,” he said.
President Mahama added that the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund which is soon to start will ensure equitable access to treatment for non-communicable diseases especially for vulnerable groups.
“The Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, which is soon to start, will also ensure equitable access to treatment for non-communicable diseases, especially for vulnerable groups,” he stated.
He called on all governments and partners to move beyond platitudes and commit towards transformative action.
“As we look to Beijing plus 30, I call on all governments and partners to move beyond platitudes and commit towards transformative action. Let us ensure that this milestone becomes a turning point, one that accelerates the realisation of gender equality and women’s empowerment all over the world,” he said.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
