International Women’s Day 2026 was marked in Ghana with a call for stronger commitment to gender equality as Lordina Dramani Mahama, First Lady of Ghana, urged citizens to actively support the empowerment of women and girls.

In her message to commemorate the global observance, Mrs. Mahama encouraged Ghanaians to reflect on what role they can personally play in advancing gender equality.

She called on individuals to mentor young women, champion the education of girls, and support policies that promote equal opportunities in workplaces and communities.

“Will you mentor a young woman starting her own business? Will you advocate for your daughter’s education as passionately as you do for your son’s?” she asked. “Always remember that investing in women brings benefits. When women succeed, families flourish, communities thrive, and the nation advances.”

The First Lady highlighted the importance of collective action in ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind. Citing the Akan proverb “Se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenkyiri”—which means that it is never wrong to return for what has been forgotten—she stressed the need for society to revisit and uplift those who have been overlooked.

According to her, empowering women across sectors can multiply Ghana’s prosperity.

She pointed to examples such as providing opportunities for market women in Makola Market, supporting young technology entrepreneurs in Accra, and offering training for shea butter producers in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Mrs. Mahama also acknowledged progress made in recent years, including the growing interest and enrollment of girls in STEM education, stronger support for women farmers through cooperatives, and the increasing presence of women in leadership roles in district assemblies, the corporate sector, and boardrooms.

However, she noted that significant challenges remain. Many talented girls still drop out of school, women entrepreneurs continue to face difficulties accessing funding, and women’s voices are often underrepresented in decision-making processes.

She said legislative and policy measures such as the Affirmative Action Bill (Ghana) and initiatives like the proposed Women’s Development Bank under the Mahama administration are intended to expand opportunities for women and support thousands of female entrepreneurs across the country.

Mrs. Mahama concluded by urging all Ghanaians to play their part in building a more inclusive society where women and girls can reach their full potential.