Lordina Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed her commitment to expanding healthcare, education and economic opportunities for women and vulnerable groups, outlining an ambitious package of social interventions as she addressed the 30th General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) on the sidelines of the African Union Summit.
Speaking to fellow First Ladies and development partners, Mrs Mahama said the Lordina Foundation, the charity arm of her office, is scaling up programmes in health, education, women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation as it looks ahead to 2026 and beyond.
Health remains “cornerstone”
She described healthcare access as the foundation of the Foundation’s work, stressing that free screenings and early interventions are helping to save lives in underserved communities.
“Health care access remains our cornerstone,” she said. “We provide free nationwide screening, examination, counselling and treatment for communities unable to afford medical care.”
In partnership with the Ghana AIDS Commission, the Foundation carried out outreach programmes in the Greater Accra and Bono regions, offering HIV testing and counselling, syphilis and hepatitis B screening, antenatal education, breast and eye screening, and general medical check-ups.
According to her, thousands of women, children and elderly people have benefited from early detection and treatment, while efforts are also helping to reduce stigma against people living with HIV.
Beyond mobile clinics, the Foundation has constructed modern maternity and children’s wards in Bole, Nkoranza and Bodom, with another facility nearing completion at Asukoko, and has donated equipment including hospital beds, incubators and ultrasound machines to health facilities nationwide.
Mrs Mahama noted that discussions with UNAIDS, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Population Fund during the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa hosted in Accra last year focused on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and newborn infections.
“Good health is the foundation,” she said. “When women and children are healthy, families are stronger and nations prosper.”
She added that the Foundation plans to collaborate with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support treatments not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Scholarships for girls
On education, the First Lady said the Foundation is prioritising scholarships for bright but underprivileged students, especially girls.
Through a partnership with the Merck Foundation, 40 junior high school girls are currently receiving uniforms, stationery and learning materials under a new scholarship scheme.
“Education unlocks potential,” she said. “Every girl with the right support becomes a leader, change maker and nation builder.”
She emphasised that sustained investment in girls’ education is critical to long-term national development.
Focus on women’s livelihoods
Mrs Mahama also outlined plans to deepen women’s economic empowerment by supporting artisans and small business owners with tools, equipment and skills training.
The Foundation has been assisting hairdressers, dressmakers and other tradeswomen to establish sustainable livelihoods, and will expand training in areas such as beading, hairdressing technology and digital literacy.
In 2026, she said, these interventions will align with government efforts to stimulate small and medium-scale enterprises, including the proposed Women Development Bank and the 24-hour economy policy.
“When we empower a woman economically, we empower an entire family, and they uplift the whole community,” she noted.
Backing OAFLAD resilience agenda
Reaffirming her support for OAFLAD’s resilience campaign, particularly in expanding access to healthcare across the continent, the First Lady pledged continued collaboration with partners and institutions.
“Through medical outreaches and community support, we are working towards a future where no woman or child is left behind due to lack of quality health care access,” she said.
She called for stronger partnerships to build systems that protect women and children and deliver hope to communities across Africa.
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