Lordina Mahama Welcomes First Ladies of Sierra Leone, Kenya, The Gambia, and Liberia to High-Level Event on Ending Mother-to-Child Transmission
In a strong show of leadership and continental collaboration, Former First Lady of Ghana and President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, on Thursday welcomed her colleague First Ladies from Sierra Leone, Kenya, The Gambia, and Liberia to a high-level convening focused on accelerating efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
The meeting, held under the theme “Towards the Triple Elimination of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B in Africa”, brought together policymakers, global health partners, and advocacy groups to discuss renewed strategies to protect mothers and their infants across the continent.
The visiting First Ladies included:
- Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone
- Her Excellency Rachel Ruto, First Lady of Kenya
- Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia
- Her Excellency Clar Marie Weah, First Lady of Liberia
Together, they reaffirmed their commitment to pushing national governments and international partners to scale up testing, treatment, and community-level interventions aimed at ending preventable infections among newborns.
Mrs. Lordina Mahama emphasized that eliminating mother-to-child transmission is not only achievable but urgent. She noted that with stronger political will, expanded healthcare access for pregnant women, and consistent public education, Africa can significantly reduce new HIV infections among children.
Health experts at the event highlighted that the Triple Elimination HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B requires unified action across borders, increased investment in maternal health systems, and sustained support for women, especially in underserved communities.
The gathering concluded with a renewed pledge to work collaboratively, leveraging the influence of First Ladies across Africa to accelerate progress and ensure every child is born free from preventable infections.
#HIVAwareness #MotherToChildTransmission #GlobalHealth #MulticdbOnline