Gender
President Mahama commits to gender equality, female representation
Ghana has marked a significant milestone in its history with the inauguration of its first female Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku- Agyemang.
According to President Mahama, her ascension to this high office was not just a personal achievement, but a testament to the nation’s commitment to promoting gender equality and female representation.
He said this at the swearing in of both he and the Vice president at the Independence Square in Accra on Tuesday.
He said his administration will also be committed to fostering a nation where gender equality and female representation were cherished and amplified.
“With the inauguration of Ghana’s first female Vice President, we have turned a significant page in our history. Naana Jane’s ascension to this high office is not merely a personal triumph; it symbolises our collective commitment to fostering a nation where gender equality and female representation are cherished and amplified,” he said.
President Mahama also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment in Ghana and described the inauguration of Prof. Opoku- Agyemang, as a powerful testament to the impact of diverse voices in shaping the nation’s future.
That, he said represented a significant step towards breaking the glass ceiling that has long hindered many Ghanaians, particularly women and youth, from reaching their full potential.
He emphasised that his administration is dedicated to enacting policies that empower women and ensure equal opportunities for the youth, regardless of their background.
“We stand committed to enacting policies that empower women and ensure that doors of opportunity swing open for our youth regardless of their background. Together, we will galvanise our efforts to create a society where every Ghanaian can dream, believe and achieve without restraint,” he added.
President Mahama said his administration was committed to fostering a more inclusive, accountable, and innovative society.
Alongside his Vice President, President Mahama pledged to create pathways that uplift every Ghanaian citizen.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Gender
Pres Mahama’s commitment to Affirmative Action Act commendable —Josephine Oppong-Yeboah
Media personality and gender advocate, Josephine Oppong-Yeboah, has applauded President John Dramani Mahama for his commitment to implement the Affirmative Action Act of 2024 (Act 1121), aimed at achieving gender equity in all aspects of national life.
She stressed that the Act’s implementation will ensure women’s voices were heard and included in every sector of the country’s development.
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) following his re-election, President Mahama, on February 27, reaffirmed his government’s dedication to operationalising the Affirmative Action Act.
He indicated that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection was working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the Act’s provisions, which includes a 30 per cent target quota for women in political appointments, were fully realised.
“I’m pleased to report that women currently make up 23.21 per cent of all appointments, and we are diligently working towards reaching the target outlined in Act 1121,” President Mahama noted.
The Affirmative Action Bill, passed by Parliament on July 30, 2024, was widely celebrated by women’s rights groups both within Ghana and internationally.
In response to the President’s pledge, Ms Oppong-Yeboah expressed her support, stating that the implementation of the Act will not only promote gender equity but also foster economic growth, strengthen democracy, and address historical inequalities.
“By empowering women and ensuring their full participation in all aspects of society, Ghana can build a more inclusive and prosperous future for all its citizens,” she remarked, adding, “Gender equality is directly tied to economic growth.”
She further emphasised that the Act will boost the visibility of women in leadership and influential roles, inspiring future generations of women to pursue their ambitions and creating a positive cycle of mentorship and empowerment.
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
Gender
Merck Foundation committed to empowering girls, women
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merck Foundation, Dr Rasha Kelej, has emphasised the foundation’s commitment to empowering girls and women.
This, she said was at the core of all initiatives and programmes at the foundation.
She said this in a statement to commemorate the International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, each year and copied to The Spectator in Accra on Monday.
Dr Kelej recognised the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realise their capabilities, especially in underserved communities.
“Therefore, together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women’s Day every day since the last 13 years through our development programmes and initiatives such as ‘More Than a Mother’, ‘Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement’, ‘Educating Linda’, and ‘STEM Programme,” Dr Kelej said.
She explained that the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset.
The CEO of Merck Foundation mentioned that out of the 2,230 scholarships awarded across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, 1046 scholarships that is nearly 50 per cent have been granted to female medical graduates, empowering them to become future healthcare experts and leaders.
Also, she said the foundation believes that education was one of the most critical areas of women empowerment and that through its educational programme known as ‘Educating Linda,’ over 700 girls have been provided scholarships to continue their education.
Dr Kelej also noted that the programme had also provided essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cape Verde and more.
Merck Foundation, Dr Kelej said also actively empowers women in science and technology through its Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme.
“Our goal is to empower women and young African researchers, enhance their research capacity, and promote their contributions to STEM,” emphasized Dr Kelej.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
