President John Dramani Mahama has called on the nine African Union member states that have not ratified the Maputo Protocol to do so without delay.
The President made the appeal during a high-level breakfast meeting on financing and reaffirming Africa’s gender commitments at the 39th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to him, the Maputo protocol is one of the world’s most progressive human rights frameworks guaranteeing rights to African women and girls.
While 46 member states have ratified the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, commonly known as the Maputo Protocol, President Mahama stressed the need for universal ratification across the continent.
“The Maputo Protocol, one of the world’s most progressive human rights instruments, guarantees comprehensive rights to African women and girls. While 46 member states have ratified it, I urge the remaining nine to do so without delay,” President Mahama stated.
The President emphasized that continental instruments on gender equality must move decisively from paper to implementation, noting that the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa remains a foundational political compact for the continent.
President Mahama also announced that Ghana’s Parliament will ratify the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls during its current session.
The convention was adopted by the AU Assembly in February 2025 and Ghana has already signed it.
“This session of our parliament is going to ratify the convention. And I urge all member states to sign and ratify this convention before the end of 2026,” he said.
The President explained violence against women and girls as not only a moral outrage but an economic catastrophe, costing Africa billions annually in healthcare, lost productivity, and justice expenditures while devastating families and communities.
“Ratification of this convention is a clear declaration that violence against women has no place in our societies,” President Mahama declared.
He noted that these instruments are not merely gender frameworks but cornerstones of Africa’s human rights and development architecture, adding that while frameworks matter, political will matters more.
Speaking as the African Union Champion for Gender and Development Issues and Champion for African Union Financial Institutions, President Mahama shared Ghana’s experience in placing gender equality at the center of governance, economic planning, and social policy.
He announced that Ghana has achieved gender parity in school enrollment and improved completion rates for girls, though he noted the need for a boy child program as boys are dropping out at secondary level while girls stay in school and complete their education.
The President disclosed that Ghana’s 2026 budget allocated GH¢401 million, approximately $40 million, to capitalize the Women’s Development Bank, describing it as the largest such allocation targeted at expanding affordable credit, financial literacy, and enterprise support for women.
He also revealed that Parliament has enacted the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act of 2024, setting binding targets for women’s representation: 30% by 2026, 35% by 2028, and 50-50 by 2030, with dedicated budgetary allocations for gender programs.
President Mahama called on fellow heads of state to adopt gender-responsive budgeting with a defined minimum allocation for gender equality by 2028, commit to urgent ratification and implementation of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, and accelerate financial and economic inclusion for women and youth.
He proposed convening a high-level stock-taking summit to publicly report on progress, reinforce accountability, and celebrate success stories.
The President argued that gender equality is fundamental to Africa’s economic transformation, social resilience, and sustainable growth, noting that despite decades of declarations, Africa’s gender agenda remains chronically underfunded.
“Africa cannot afford to leave more than half of its population behind, not if we are serious about building the Africa we want,” President Mahama stated.
He challenged development partners and the private sector to align their financing with African priorities and treat gender equality not as charity but as smart investment.
“The true test of this meeting will not be the speeches we’ve given here today, but tomorrow’s budgets, the laws, and protection for women and girls. When we meet again, let it be to announce results and not to explain delays,” the President concluded.
President Mahama is leading Ghana’s delegation to the 39th AU Summit, where he is co-hosting several high-level side events on reparations, gender, and financial inclusion.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
