President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s steadfast commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, urging world leaders to move beyond rhetoric and turn the vision of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action into concrete, transformative results.

Speaking at the Opening Session of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing, President Mahama underscored the need for renewed moral and political will to ensure that the progress of nations is inclusive and that women are never left behind.

“We must match our declarations with decisive action,” President Mahama stated.

“True progress cannot be achieved when half of humanity remains constrained by structural and cultural barriers.”

The Ghanaian leader acknowledged that while significant strides have been made globally, persistent inequalities continue to restrict the full participation of women and girls in social, economic, and political life.

He therefore called for stronger global resolve, innovative policies, and deeper solidarity to accelerate gender equality efforts worldwide.

Highlighting Ghana’s achievements, President Mahama pointed to a series of bold reforms and historic milestones under his leadership, including the election of Ghana’s first female Vice President and the appointment of women to key positions in government, the judiciary, the security services, and national institutions.

As the African Union Champion for Gender and Women’s Empowerment, President Mahama reiterated Ghana’s commitment to building an inclusive society where women and girls have equal access to opportunities and leadership roles.

“Our goal is simple but urgent — to create systems where women are not beneficiaries of goodwill, but architects of transformation,” he emphasised.

The Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women brings together heads of state, international organisations, and gender advocates to review progress and strengthen collective action toward achieving gender equality worldwide — 30 years after the landmark Beijing Declaration.