First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders and global partners to increase investments in healthcare, education, and women's economic empowerment to secure a prosperous future for the continent. She made the call during the "Passing the Baton" session at a high-level Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) side event held at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice in New York. The event brought together African First Ladies and a First Gentleman to discuss the strategic direction for the organisation's next quarter.
Mrs. Mahama emphasised the need to build resilient healthcare systems capable of reaching every mother and child, integrating maternal care with HIV prevention, early screening, nutrition, and other essential lifesaving services. She stressed that healthcare improvements alone are insufficient without broader socio-economic support. The First Lady reflected on the OAFLAD's journey over the last 25 years and recalled that the OAFLAD was established nearly twenty-five years ago at a critical juncture when the HIV and AIDS pandemic demanded bold, urgent, and unified African leadership.
The OAFLAD side event, themed "A Legacy of Leadership: Delivering for Women and Girls," aimed to foster strong global partnerships and leverage the organisation's collective influence. Mrs. Mahama urged her peers to work together to ensure that access to quality healthcare, dignity, and economic opportunity are guaranteed rights for every woman and child across Africa. She added that health cannot be addressed in isolation and that education, women's economic empowerment, and gender equity are essential to creating healthier families, stronger communities, and more prosperous nations.
Mrs. Mahama highlighted the transformative impact of empowering women and girls, stating that 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 ripple effects lift entire communities and drive national prosperity. She reaffirmed Ghana's dedication to embedding maternal healthcare, youth empowerment, and gender equity directly into its national development agenda to ensure no woman or child is left behind.
The First Lady's call to action emphasised the need for a holistic approach to addressing the challenges faced by African women and girls. She encouraged her peers to adopt a comprehensive strategy that integrates healthcare, education, and economic empowerment to achieve sustainable development. Mrs. Mahama's remarks resonated with the audience, who acknowledged the critical role that African First Ladies play in promoting the well-being and empowerment of women and girls.
The "Passing the Baton" session marked a significant moment in the OAFLAD's 25-year journey, as the organisation looks to the future and its next quarter of operations. The event provided a platform for African First Ladies and a First Gentleman to share their experiences, expertise, and vision for advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls. The OAFLAD's commitment to promoting the health, education, and economic empowerment of African women and girls remains unwavering.
In conclusion, Mrs. Mahama's address at the OAFLAD side event underscored the importance of collective action and global partnerships in securing a prosperous future for Africa. Her call for holistic health, empowerment, and education for African women and girls resonated with the audience, and her leadership will continue to inspire efforts to promote the well-being and empowerment of women and girls across the continent.
Key points
- First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama calls for increased investments in healthcare, education, and women's economic empowerment to secure a prosperous future for Africa.
- Mrs. Mahama emphasises the need for a holistic approach to addressing the challenges faced by African women and girls, integrating healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
- The OAFLAD side event, themed "A Legacy of Leadership: Delivering for Women and Girls," aims to foster strong global partnerships and leverage the organisation's collective influence.
