Lordina Mahama urges African leaders to build stronger healthcare systems for women and children

The First Lady of Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, has urged African leaders to prioritise the development of resilient healthcare systems that can provide quality and comprehensive services to women and children across the continent.

Mrs Mahama made the call in New York during a high-level side event organised by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).

Speaking during the organisation’s “Passing the Baton” session, she reflected on OAFLAD’s nearly 25-year history and the need for renewed leadership to respond to the evolving challenges facing African women and girls.

The event, themed “A Legacy of Leadership: Delivering for Women and Girls,” provided an opportunity for African First Ladies and a First Gentleman to consider the organisation’s priorities for the next 25 years.

Mrs Mahama recalled that OAFLAD was founded at a time when the HIV and AIDS pandemic posed a major threat to African communities and required unified leadership and urgent intervention.

She said that although the health landscape had evolved, the need for coordinated action remained critical.

According to the First Lady, healthcare systems must be designed to reach every mother and child and should integrate maternal healthcare with HIV prevention, early screening, nutrition and other lifesaving interventions.

She also cautioned against treating health challenges separately from the social and economic conditions affecting women and girls.

“Health cannot be addressed in isolation,” she said, stressing the importance of education, economic empowerment and gender equity in improving health outcomes and strengthening communities.

Mrs Mahama said Ghana remained committed to making maternal healthcare, youth empowerment and gender equity key components of its national development agenda.

She called on her fellow First Ladies and global partners to strengthen collaboration and ensure that access to healthcare, dignity and economic opportunity is extended to women and children across Africa.