President John Dramani Mahama has outlined a series of landmark interventions that have significantly improved the lives of women and girls across Ghana, reaffirming the country’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive development.

Speaking at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing, President Mahama detailed a range of social, educational, and economic initiatives that continue to empower women nationwide.

Among these interventions are:

* The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme, which provides financial and social support to female-headed households.

* The Ghana School Feeding Programme, which sources food locally to enhance nutrition and promote school retention, especially among girls.

* A 50% microfinance funding quota dedicated to women entrepreneurs to boost small and medium-scale enterprises.

* Nationwide distribution of sanitary pads to support menstrual health and reduce absenteeism among schoolgirls.

* Free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, with targeted support for women.

* The upcoming Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, designed to ensure equitable access to healthcare for vulnerable populations.

President Mahama noted that these interventions are anchored in a strong legal and policy framework, which includes the revised National Gender Policy, Social Protection Act, Domestic Violence Act, Human Trafficking Act, Justice for Children Policy, and the newly enacted Affirmative Action Act.

The Affirmative Action Act sets ambitious targets for women’s participation in governance—a minimum of 30% representation by 2026, increasing to 50% by 2030.

To further strengthen women’s economic empowerment, the government is also establishing a Women’s Development Bank, which will offer low-interest loans, financial literacy training, and business development support to women across all sectors of the economy.

President Mahama’s message in Beijing underscores Ghana’s leadership role in Africa’s drive toward inclusive governance, positioning women’s empowerment as a central pillar of national progress and sustainable development.