By: Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
ADDIS ABABA — First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed her commitment to advancing health, education and economic opportunities for women and vulnerable groups, as she addressed the 30th General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development on the sidelines of the African Union Summit.
Sharing the work of her office and the Lordina Foundation, she noted that the Foundation operates through health, education, women empowerment and poverty alleviation, with renewed focus on critical interventions as it looks ahead to 2026 and beyond.
Access to Health: “Good health is the foundation”
The First Lady described healthcare access as the cornerstone of the Foundation’s work.
“Health care access remains our cornerstone,” she stated. “We provide free nationwide screening, examination, counseling and treatment for communities unable to afford medical care.”
In partnership with the Ghana AIDS Commission, the Foundation conducted comprehensive screening exercises in the Greater Accra and Bono regions. The outreach covered HIV testing and counseling, syphilis and hepatitis B screening, free antenatal education and safe delivery guidance, breast and eye screening with basic care, as well as general medical check-ups and treatment.
According to her, thousands of women, children and the elderly have benefited from early detection and treatment.
“Lives have been saved, and we are combating stigma, especially towards people living with HIV and AIDS, by promoting compassion and support,” she added.
Since 2024, the Foundation has also organised quarterly health screening for retired pastors and their spouses, providing medication and medical support.
Beyond outreach programmes, the Foundation has constructed three modern maternity and children’s wards at Bole, Nkoranza and Bodom, with another facility nearing completion at Asukoko. It has also renovated health facilities and donated essential equipment, including hospital beds, incubators and ultrasound machines nationwide.
In 2025, she hosted fellow First Ladies in Accra during the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), where discussions with UNAIDS, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Population Fund focused on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and newborn infections across Africa.
Looking ahead, she announced plans to expand services to hard-to-reach communities and collaborate with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support treatments not covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“Good health is the foundation,” she emphasised. “When women and children are healthy, families are stronger and nations prosper.”
Education: “Education unlocks potential”
On education, the First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to supporting brilliant but underprivileged students through scholarships.
The Foundation recently partnered with the Merck Foundation to launch an education scholarship programme currently supporting 40 underprivileged junior high school girls with uniforms, stationery and other learning materials.
“My focus is simple,” she stated. “Education unlocks potential. Every girl with the right support becomes a leader, change maker and nation builder.”
She stressed that sustained investment in girls’ education remains central to long-term national development.
Economic Empowerment:
^ “When we empower a woman…”
Addressing women’s economic empowerment, Mrs. Mahama noted that the Foundation supports women artisans, including hairdressers and dressmakers, by providing tools and equipment after training to help them establish sustainable livelihoods.
In 2026, her office will continue supporting women in small and medium-scale enterprises to improve profitability and build independent, fulfilling lives. These efforts, she explained, will align with government initiatives such as the 24-hour economy policy and the proposed Women Development Bank expected to be launched this year.
The Foundation also plans to introduce basic skills training in beading, hairdressing technology and other practical trades, while promoting digital literacy to help women leverage opportunities in the digital economy.
“When we empower a woman economically, we empower an entire family, and they uplift the whole community,” she noted.
Commitment to OAFLAD’s Resilience Agenda
Reaffirming her dedication to OAFLAD’s resilience campaign, particularly in expanding access to healthcare, the First Lady pledged her office’s continued partnership.
“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 on partners, institutions and stakeholders to join hands in building systems that protect women and children and offer renewed hope for communities across the continent.
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