International Women’s Day offers an important moment to reflect on the progress women have made and the work that still lies ahead.

As a Ghanaian woman living in Canada, I celebrate this day with great pride in the resilience, strength, and contributions of women both at home and across the world.

Progress for women does not happen by accident. It happens when leaders recognise the value women bring to society and intentionally create space for them to contribute at the highest levels.

In Ghana’s political history, one such moment came when John Dramani Mahama demonstrated confidence in women’s leadership by selecting Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate, making her the first woman nominated for the position of Vice President by a major political party in Ghana.

That decision was not only historic but also a clear signal that women belong at the highest tables of leadership and decision-making.

This gesture aligns perfectly with the spirit of “Give to Gain.” The principle is simple but powerful and mirrors the practice of agriculture, something many of us as Ghanaians understand well.

A farmer must first sow seeds into the soil before expecting a harvest. The farmer gives time, labour, and patience long before the crops appear, yet in time the harvest comes.

In the same way, when societies invest in women through education, opportunity, and leadership roles, they reap the benefits of stronger communities, better governance, and inclusive development.

Many influential women have echoed this wisdom over the years.

The renowned poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou once said, “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”

Her words capture the very heart of the Give to Gain philosophy: progress multiplies when those who receive opportunities extend them to others.

Similarly, Michelle Obama reminds us that “there is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”

Education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has also observed that “we cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”

Empowering women, therefore, is not simply about fairness. It is about unlocking the full potential of society.

However, as we celebrate the advancement of women and continue striving for gender equality, we must also proceed with wisdom and balance.

In our efforts to uplift the girl child, we must be careful not to unintentionally leave the boy child behind. Equality should not mean replacing one imbalance with another.

True progress means raising both girls and boys and ensuring that neither gender is disadvantaged. Our boys and men must also be nurtured, guided, and equipped to grow into responsible partners, leaders, and allies in building a fair society.

When we empower women while also supporting men, we strengthen families, stabilise communities, and build nations that thrive.

As a Ghanaian woman in the diaspora, I remain proud of the strides Ghana continues to make and hopeful about the future.

The seeds of inclusion and opportunity being planted today will shape the Ghana we hand over to the next generation.

On this International Women’s Day, let us remember that empowering women is not an act of charity.

It is an investment in collective progress. Because when we give opportunity, trust, and support to women and men alike, society truly gains.