President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating discrimination and fostering an inclusive society where all individuals can fully and equally participate in social, economic, and political life.

Delivering his first State of the Nation Address in his second term on Thursday, February 27, President Mahama stressed the pivotal role of his Vice President, Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, in spearheading efforts to prioritise gender equality, equity, and social justice.

“Our vision is to create fairness and cultivate an inclusive environment. We will engage all stakeholders, including development partners and civil society organizations, to ensure that gender equality remains a key priority,” he stated.

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He outlined his administration’s plan to strengthen social protection mechanisms and enhance legal safeguards for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups. These efforts, he noted, would include enacting comprehensive laws and policies aimed at dismantling harmful social norms and improving access to crucial resources and opportunities, particularly for young women.

President Mahama also commended Parliament for its role in passing the Affirmative Action Act of 2024 (Act 1121), describing it as a milestone in advancing gender equity. He reiterated his government’s dedication to implementing the Act to ensure fair representation across political, social, economic, educational, and cultural spheres.

“The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to guarantee the full implementation of this Act, including the attainment of the 30% quota for women in political appointments. Currently, women make up 23.21% of all appointments, and we are working diligently to achieve the target outlined in Act 1121,” he indicated.

However, President Mahama expressed concern over the gender imbalance at the local government level, citing the low number of women applying for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive positions.

He highlighted the need for constitutional reforms that would allow for the election of District Chief Executives (DCEs), which, he believes, would enable the Gender Ministry to encourage and support more women in pursuing these roles.

As part of his government’s commitment to empowering women, President Mahama announced plans to establish the Women’s Development Bank—a specialised financial institution dedicated to supporting women-led businesses. This initiative aims to provide low-interest loans and tailored financial services under flexible terms to help women entrepreneurs thrive.

“Consultative processes are underway to ensure the successful launch of the bank. Additionally, as part of our 120-day social contract, the Minister for Finance will allocate initial funding for the Women’s Development Bank in the upcoming budget,” he assured.