First Lady calls for holistic health and empowerment for African women at OAFLAD Summit in New York

The First Lady of Ghana, Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, recently addressed a high-profile event at the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in New York. She emphasized the importance of increasing investments in healthcare, education, and women's economic empowerment to ensure a healthier and more prosperous future for Africa. Reflecting on OAFLAD's 25-year history, Mahama called for renewed commitment to advancing women and girls' wellbeing across the continent.

OAFLAD was established during a critical time when the HIV and AIDS pandemic demanded urgent, coordinated leadership from African nations. Mahama highlighted the organization's ongoing relevance as Africa faces new and persistent challenges impacting women's and children's health, dignity, and socioeconomic wellbeing. A resilient healthcare system, she argued, should reach every mother and child, especially those in underserved communities.

She advocated for an integrated approach to maternal healthcare that includes access to quality services, HIV prevention, early screening, nutrition, and other essential interventions.

Mahama stressed that healthcare improvements require more than just medical facility investments. She emphasized the importance of empowering women and girls through education, economic opportunities, and gender equity to achieve lasting benefits for families, communities, and nations. She noted that healthcare cannot be isolated from education, women's economic empowerment, and gender equity, as these factors are crucial for creating healthier families, stronger communities, and more prosperous nations.

Reaffirming Ghana's dedication, Mahama highlighted the country's commitment to integrating maternal healthcare, youth empowerment, and gender equity into its national development agenda. She urged her fellow First Ladies to leverage OAFLAD's collective influence, strengthen partnerships with governments, development organizations, the private sector, and other global stakeholders, and ensure access to quality healthcare, dignity, and economic opportunities for all women and children across Africa, treating them as rights rather than privileges.