Full Text: First Lady's statement at 30th OAFLAD Assembly on AU Summit margins
Source: myjoyonline

Thank you for this opportunity to share the work of my office and the Lordina Foundation in transforming lives across Ghana. The Lordina Foundation operates through health, education, women empowerment and poverty alleviation. As we advance towards 2026 and beyond, we are intensifying our focus on three critical areas. Access to health: Health care access remains our cornerstone. We provide free nationwide screening, examination, counseling, and treatment for communities unable to afford medical care. In partnership with the Ghana AIDS Commission, we conducted comprehensive screening in Greater Accra and Bono regions, providing HIV testing and counseling, syphilis and hepatitis B screening, free natal education and safe delivery guidance, breast and eye screening with basic care, general check-up and treatment. Thousands of women, children and the elderly have received early detection, guidance and treatment. Lives have been saved and we combat stigma, especially towards people with HIV and AIDS, promoting compassion and support. Since 2024, we have conducted quarterly health screening for retired pastors and their wives, providing screening, medication and dignity to these faithful servants of God. The foundation has built three modern maternity and children’s wards at Bole, Nkroransa and Bodom. There is another facility nearing completion in Asukoko. We have renovated facilities and donated critical equipment, hospital beds, incubators, and ultrasound machines, among others, nationwide. In 2025, I hosted fellow first ladies at the ICASA conference in Accra. With UNAIDS, WHO, and the UNFPA, we addressed prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission and newborn infections across Africa. Going forward, we’ll expand the interventions to hard-to-reach communities, support facility construction, hospital equipment and health education through local leaders. We’ll collaborate with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to fund treatment not covered under the national health insurance scheme. tawa555 situs slot777 madridtoto Good health is the foundation. When women and children are healthy, families are stronger and nations prosper. Education: I’ll continue to support brilliant but underprivileged students through scholarship. Recently, the Foundation partnered with Merck Foundation to launch the education scholarship program. It is currently supporting 40 underprivileged junior high school girls with uniforms, stationery, amongst others, helping them to stay in school and achieve their dreams. My focus is simple. Education unlocks potential. Every girl with the right support becomes a leader, a change maker and a nation builder. Economic Empowerment of Women: We support women artisans; hair dressers and dressmakers by providing tools and equipment to help them run their businesses after training and by helping them to begin the process of securing decent livelihoods. In 2026, my office will continue empowering women in small and medium-scale businesses, helping improve profit, build enterprises and independent, fulfilling lives. We will align with government initiatives such as the 24-hour economy and the Women Development Bank, which will be launched this year. The foundation will collaborate to ensure that women and girls receive the capital support they need. We'll introduce basic training in beading, hairdressing technology and practical skills. In today's digital world, the internet offers instant and significant opportunities with proper knowledge and tools. When we empower a woman economically, we empower an entire family and they uplift the whole community. I am fully committed to supporting OAFLAD in building a resilient campaign with a focus on access to health. This aligns seamlessly with our mission that good health is the foundation of life, especially for women and children. Through medical outreaches and community support, we are working towards a future where no woman or child is left behind due to a lack of quality health care access. I invite all partners, institutions, and friends to join this journey. Let us build systems that protect women and children and gives then hope. My office remains a true partner in this important work.