President Mahama today hosted a High-Level Breakfast on Financing and Reaffirming Africa’s Gender Commitments at the 39th AU Assembly, as AU Champion for Gender.
Gender equality is not merely a moral imperative, it is an economic necessity and a driver of sustainable development across the continent.
”I am proud to share that Ghana has placed gender equality at the heart of our governance and economic planning, in our 2026 budget, we have allocated GHS 401 million (about $40 million) to capitalise the Women’s Development Bank, which will ensure that our women, especially those in informal and vulnerable employment, have access to affordable credit, financial literacy, and enterprise support”, the President noted.
He said Ghana has also achieved a lot when it comes to working towards Gender parity with the election of its first female Vice President.
”We have also achieved other historic milestones, including the election of our first female Vice President and unprecedented female representation across government and the judiciary”.
President Mahama urged all African countries to among other things ensure that;
1. By 2028, every AU member state adopts gender-responsive budgeting with defined minimum allocations for gender equality.
2. Urgently ratify and implement the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, supported by national action plans.
3. Accelerate financial and economic inclusion to ensure women and youth enjoy equal access to finance, assets, markets, and decent work.
He urged the 9 remaining member states to ratify the Maputo Protocol without delay, and all member states to sign and ratify the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls before the end of 2026.
”When we invest in women, we invest in Africa’s future. Let us move from commitments to action, from policy to impact”, President Mahama stated.
