President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to place gender equality at the heart of economic planning and governance, describing it as essential to the continent’s transformation and sustainable growth.

Speaking at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, President Mahama urged leaders to move beyond reaffirming commitments and confront what he described as a central truth — that gender equality is not peripheral to development but fundamental to it.

He emphasised that Africa’s development agenda would remain incomplete unless gender equality is fully embedded in macroeconomic planning, public finance management, and peace and security frameworks.

The President further called for the full implementation of key continental instruments, including the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) and the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.

President Mahama disclosed that Ghana has signed the convention and has initiated processes toward its ratification, with Parliament expected to consider and approve it during the current session.

He encouraged all African Union member states to ratify the convention before the end of 2026 to demonstrate collective commitment to advancing women’s rights and gender equality across the continent.