At the 30th Summit of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development in Addis Ababa, Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Dramani Mahama, reaffirmed her commitment to advancing the wellbeing of women and children across the continent.
Addressing fellow First Ladies under the OAFLAD platform, Mrs. Mahama pledged Ghana’s full support for the #BuildingResilience Campaign, with a strategic focus on expanding access to healthcare, improving educational opportunities, and strengthening women’s empowerment initiatives.
Expanding Access to Healthcare
Through the Lordina Foundation, thousands of women, children, and elderly persons have benefited from free health screenings and medical support services.
The Foundation has also delivered three modern maternity and children’s wards at:
- Bole District Hospital
- Nkoranza Municipal Hospital
- Bodom Health Centre
An additional maternity and children’s ward is nearing completion at Asukawkaw, further extending maternal and child healthcare infrastructure to underserved communities.
The First Lady noted that improved maternal and child health remains central to building resilient communities and reducing preventable deaths.
Boosting Women’s Economic Empowerment
Looking ahead to 2026, Mrs. Mahama outlined plans to scale up support for women-led small and medium-sized enterprises. The initiative aligns with key government programmes including the proposed 24-Hour Economy policy and the Women’s Development Bank.
She stressed that empowering women economically has a ripple effect, strengthening households, creating jobs, and driving broader community development.
“Empowered women build strong families, and strong families build strong nations,” she emphasized.
Investing in Girls’ Education
In the education sector, the First Lady highlighted ongoing support for 40 underprivileged junior high school girls under the Merck Foundation ‘Educating Linda’ Scholarship Programme.
The scholarship scheme provides financial and academic support to vulnerable girls, reinforcing the belief that every educated girl holds the potential to become a leader and nation-builder.
A Continental Call to Action
The OAFLAD Summit brought together African First Ladies to discuss collaborative approaches to health, gender equality and sustainable development.
Mrs. Mahama’s address positioned Ghana as an active contributor to continental efforts aimed at strengthening resilience among women and children. As the #BuildingResilience Campaign gains momentum, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how commitments translate into measurable impact across communities.