Mrs Mahama is also being awarded for her supportive role as a wife of the President and her reaction to social and health issues, particularly, relating to women and children. At an award ceremony held recently in Accra, the Lordina Foundation, founded by the First Lady, was also honored with the Best Charitable Foundation in Africa Award.

Organisers of the award said Mrs Mahama’s recognition came as a result of her persistent interest in humanitarian, health and social issues for many years. A citation presented to the First Lady proclaimed: “Her Excellency Lordina Mahama has been undoubtedly the most charismatic and influential First Lady in Africa sub region for the past years apparent in the significant supportive role she plays as a wife of the President of a Republic where expectations and demands are too overwhelming to anyone who holds that office.

“Her Excellency Lordina Mahama’s reactions to public issues and commentaries depicts her charismatic nature and the influence she has on the citizenry especially girl-child. Her Excellency Lordina Mahama’s advocate against child marriage, child labour, breast and cervical cancer, HIV prevention and adolescent sexual reproductive health has been phenomenal within these past years”.

The First Lady’s nationwide medical supplies to health facilities in all 10 the regions, her support and efforts to help prevent breast and cervical cancers and HIV in Ghana, her dedication and determination to provide shelter and vocational training for the inmates and residence of the Gambaga Witches Camp, coupled with her adoption of several orphanages across Ghana, and constantly providing them with food, clothing and other essentials all contributed to her recognition and the award.

Aside assisting people who are engaged in vocational training to expand their businesses and improve upon their income-earning capacity through the provision of skills and vocational training, to create opportunities for girls and women, Mrs Mahama has also supported artisans through the work of the Lordina Foundation of which she is the President.

Earlier this year, the First Lady launched a campaign to end child marriage on the sidelines of the 7th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights held in Accra. She also joined her colleague Ivorian First Lady, recently, to sign a joint declaration to fight against human trafficking and worst forms of child labour.

These are efforts geared towards making life comfortable for the citizenry, especially women and children. A citation presented to the Foundation stated: “Lordina Foundation has proven itself to be the most passionate and vibrant foundation for the most vulnerable in Africa. Its quest of having compassion on the needy and aiding them in all aspect of life earned them this accolade”.

The Lordina Foundation, since its establishment, has focused on its primary objective, which is to cater for destitute and vulnerable children and women so as to bridge the gap between the fortunate and the unfortunate, particularly, in areas of education, healthcare and vocational training.

With the help of its sponsors, the Foundation has presented significant and enormous donations to individuals and organisations across the country.