Empowering women is a national duty – Vice President Opoku-Agyemang

As Ghana joins the world to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has emphasised the need for collective action in breaking barriers and ensuring equal opportunities for women.

In a video message to mark the occasion, the Vice President stressed that women’s empowerment is not just a women’s issue, but a national imperative. 

She underscored the importance of advancing gender equality, stating, “When women thrive, families, communities, nations prosper. Let us accelerate action for our mothers, our daughters, our sisters, and for the future of our great nation.” She further added, “A happy International Women’s Day to all of us. Let us continue to accelerate action.”

With this year’s theme being "Accelerate Action," Prof. Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to ensuring that women play a central role in national development. She noted that women are at the heart of economic and social progress, and their contributions must be recognised and supported. 

“We do not only recognise the profound contributions of women in every sphere of society, but we also affirm our commitment to breaking the barriers that have long hindered our full participation in the nation’s progress,” she said.

She highlighted the indispensable role of women in business, governance, education, healthcare, and science. She noted that Ghanaian women are the backbone of families, communities, and the economy, adding, “Whether in our archives, in the boardrooms, classrooms, farmlands, or on the beaches, women continue to drive innovation, nurture growth, and shape the future of our country.”

The Vice President also commended the bold steps taken under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama to promote gender equality and support women’s development. 

She explained that the government had introduced initiatives such as the Women’s Development Fund, which provides financial support to women entrepreneurs, ensuring they have access to capital and resources to expand their businesses. She also pointed to affirmative action policies designed to increase women’s representation in leadership and governance, paving the way for more women to have a voice at the decision-making table.

While acknowledging these gains, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed that the journey towards full gender equality was far from over. 

She noted that women still face challenges in all spheres of life but expressed optimism that with greater representation, more women would be able to unlock their full potential. “These ideas mark progress, but we know that the journey towards full equality is far from over,” she said.

She called on Ghanaians to do more in supporting women’s aspirations and ensuring that gender equality becomes a reality in the country. “We all must do better to support the women of Ghana,” she urged. 

She concluded her message with a call to action, saying, “As we celebrate this day, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to building a Ghana where every woman and girl has the freedom to dream, the power to achieve, and the support to excel.”