The 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) has welcomed distinguished guests as First Ladies from across the continent gather in Accra for a high-level side event focused on public health and women’s leadership.
Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), alongside Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia, arrived in Ghana to join their counterparts for Thursday’s meeting hosted by Ghana’s First Lady, H.E. Lordina Dramani Mahama.
The session is centered on Ending Mother-to-Child Transmission and achieving the Triple Elimination of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B in Africa. Discussions will highlight the critical role of women in leadership in combating stigma, abuse, and neglect of victims—particularly women and children—while advancing concrete measures to protect their rights.
Mrs. Mahama’s longstanding advocacy through the Lordina Foundation has earned her international recognition for promoting health and humanitarian assistance for vulnerable groups. In 2013, she was appointed a Health Ambassador to support Ghana’s Heart-to-Heart campaign, championing the cause of HIV/AIDS patients. Later, in 2016, as President of OAFLA, she delivered a powerful message at the 7th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights in Accra, urging proactive responses to HIV and the protection of young people’s sexual and reproductive rights.
Also attending the Accra meeting are the First Ladies of Kenya and Liberia, as well as a former First Lady of South Africa, underscoring the collective commitment of African women leaders to advancing health equity and safeguarding the future of the continent’s children.
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