President John Dramani Mahama has highlighted his administration’s progress in gender equity, revealing that women currently hold 23.21% of all government appointments.

Delivering his first State of the Nation Address in his second term on Thursday, February 27, 2025, Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to increasing women’s participation in leadership and fully implementing the Affirmative Action Act of 2024 (Act 1121).

"I am pleased to report that women currently make up 23.21% of all appointments, and we are diligently working towards reaching the targets set forth in Act 1121," he stated.

Mahama assured Parliament that his government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, is working with stakeholders to ensure the law’s full execution. A key goal is to achieve the 30% quota for women in political appointments.

"Mister Speaker, I would like to take a moment to commend you and this house for your unwavering support and guidance, which were instrumental in passing the Affirmative Action Act of 2024. My government is dedicated to successfully implementing this Act to ensure gender equity," he added.

Despite progress at the national level, Mahama acknowledged that female representation at the local government level remains low, as few women apply for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) positions.

He attributed this to structural barriers and called for constitutional reforms to allow for the election of DCEs, a move he believes will enable the Gender Ministry to actively support more women in contesting for these roles.

In a move to strengthen economic empowerment for women, Mahama announced the establishment of the Women’s Development Bank, a specialized financial institution that will cater to businesses owned and led by women.

"This bank will provide low-interest loans and tailored financial services under very flexible terms. Consultative processes are underway to ensure its successful launch. Additionally, as part of our 120-day social contract, the Minister for Finance will allocate initial funding for the Women’s Development Bank in the upcoming budget," he disclosed.

With these initiatives, Mahama reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fostering gender equity across political, economic, and social spheres, ensuring a more inclusive governance structure.