First Lady, Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, has urged African governments and development partners to intensify investments in healthcare, education and economic opportunities for women as part of efforts to secure sustainable development across the continent.
She made the call in New York during a high-level side event organised by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice.
Mrs Mahama was speaking at a “Passing the Baton” session held under the theme, “A Legacy of Leadership: Delivering for Women and Girls.”
The gathering brought together African First Ladies and a First Gentleman to reflect on OAFLAD’s achievements and discuss priorities for the organisation’s next 25 years.
Reflecting on OAFLAD’s establishment nearly 25 years ago, Mrs Mahama said the organisation emerged at a time when the HIV and AIDS pandemic required decisive and coordinated leadership from African leaders.
She noted that the same spirit of collective action remains necessary as the continent confronts contemporary challenges affecting women and children.
According to the First Lady, African countries must focus on developing resilient and accessible health systems that can provide essential services to mothers and children, particularly in underserved communities.
She advocated for an integrated approach that combines maternal healthcare with HIV prevention, early detection and screening, proper nutrition and other interventions critical to saving lives.
Mrs Mahama, however, cautioned that improvements in healthcare must be accompanied by interventions that address the social and economic conditions affecting women and girls.
“Health cannot be addressed in isolation. Education, women’s economic empowerment, and gender equity are essential to creating healthier families, stronger communities, and more prosperous nations.”
She said supporting women and girls has benefits that extend beyond individuals and households, noting that healthier mothers, educated girls and economically empowered women can contribute significantly to the development of their communities and countries.
“When a mother is healthy, when a young girl is shielded from harm and kept in school, and when a woman is empowered to build her own livelihood, the transformative ripple effects lift entire communities and drive national prosperity,” she added.
Mrs Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to advancing maternal healthcare, youth development and gender equality, saying these priorities should remain firmly embedded in the country’s broader development agenda.
She also called on her fellow First Ladies to use OAFLAD’s collective voice and influence to deepen collaboration with international partners and mobilise greater support for initiatives benefiting women and children.
The First Lady maintained that access to quality healthcare, economic opportunities and human dignity should not be limited by a woman’s social or economic circumstances.
She urged African leaders and their partners to work towards ensuring that such opportunities become accessible to women and children across the continent.
By 1960news.com
