The theme “Give to Gain” for International Women’s Day resonates deeply with Ghana’s ongoing efforts to empower women.

Investing in women unlocks growth, innovation, and resilience that benefits everyone.

On this day, we acknowledge former President John Agyekum Kufuor for establishing the Girl Child Education Unit, laying the foundation for girls’ education.

Building on this, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s Free SHS policy and STEM initiatives empowered countless girls to pursue higher education and careers, boosting female literacy rates.

Recent leaders have echoed this sentiment. Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang emphasised that women’s empowerment drives better governance, aiming for 30% representation of women in government appointments.

First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama urged Ghanaians to mentor young women and support equal opportunities, while President John Dramani Mahama stressed that empowering women drives national prosperity.

We hope these are not mere rhetoric from the current leadership. The Mahama administration is expected to build on the efforts of its predecessors and implement stronger measures to empower women.

Yet, Ghana still faces challenges:

- Girls dropping out of school

- Women entrepreneurs facing financing barriers

- Underrepresentation of women in leadership

- Limited healthcare support for conditions like endometriosis

- Low STEM enrollment among girls

- Insufficient support for women farmers

- Low budget allocation for the Gender Ministry

As Ghana celebrates women, this is a call to action for all to contribute toward achieving true gender equality. Investing in women yields a stronger, more prosperous nation.