President John Mahama has expressed concern over the low number of women applying for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) positions, citing systemic barriers that discourage many from seeking these roles.
During his 2025 State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 27, Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to gender equity, highlighting the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act of 2024 (Act 1121).
“My government is working to achieve the 30% quota for women in political appointments, and I am pleased to report that women currently make up 23.21% of all appointments,” Mahama stated.
However, he pointed out that the number of women applying for MMDCE roles remains low, and those who do apply are often sidelined for “flimsy and parochial reasons.”
He expressed optimism that the National Constitution Review Conference would create a clearer path for the election of District Chief Executives, aiming to make the process more inclusive.
To support women’s empowerment, Mahama announced the creation of a Women’s Development Bank. The bank will provide low-interest loans and flexible financial services to women-led businesses, with initial funding set to be allocated in the upcoming budget.
Additionally, Mahama outlined plans to expand the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme under the “Big LEAP” initiative, which will reassess household eligibility following the completion of the Ghana National Household Data Census in 2025.
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