President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s strong commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls during his address at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women held in Beijing, China, on Monday, October 13, 2025.

The event, hosted by President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China and UN Women, brought together world leaders to mark 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark framework for advancing women’s rights globally.

President Mahama: “The Promise of Beijing Still Endures”

In his address, President Mahama extended warm greetings from the government and people of Ghana and highlighted the importance of renewing global commitment to the Beijing Declaration’s ideals.

“The Beijing Declaration was never just a statement of intent; it was a moral covenant,” he said. “No nation can truly progress if half of its population is left behind. 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.”

Mahama emphasized that while progress has been made, there remains a need for renewed urgency and purpose to achieve true gender equality across all nations.

Ghana’s Milestones in Women’s Empowerment

Highlighting Ghana’s achievements under his leadership and as the African Union Champion for Gender and Women’s Empowerment, President Mahama said the government had mainstreamed gender across national development policies.

He pointed to several historic milestones, including:

• The election of Ghana’s first female Vice President
• Increased representation of women in government, the judiciary, and security services
• The appointment of women to key national leadership positions

“These are not symbolic gestures; they are a deliberate affirmation that women deserve a seat at the highest levels of decision-making,” Mahama declared. “And I am confident that in the very near future, a woman will be president of the Republic of Ghana.”

Progress in Education and Legal Reforms

President Mahama also celebrated Ghana’s achievement of gender parity in school enrollment, noting that girls are now enrolling and staying in school at higher rates than ever before.

He said Ghana’s progress is further strengthened by institutional reforms and robust legal frameworks designed to protect the rights of women and girls, especially against gender-based violence.

Among the strengthened institutions he cited were:

• The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection
• The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service
• The Domestic Violence Secretariat
• The Specialised Domestic Violence Courts

Mahama noted that increased budgetary allocations have enhanced these institutions’ ability to deliver justice, protection, and social support to survivors of abuse.

Global Call for Renewed Action

The President Mahama urged global leaders to intensify their commitment to the empowerment of women, calling for innovative solutions to eliminate structural barriers that hinder gender progress.

“Thirty years on, the promise of Beijing still endures,” he concluded. “But it calls for renewed urgency, purpose, and global solidarity to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.”