African First Ladies gathered in Accra for a high-level ICASA 2025 side event focused on eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B across the continent.

The meeting brought together key figures advocating for improved maternal and child health, including Sierra Leone’s First Lady and OAFLAD president Dr Fatima Maada Bio, The Gambia’s First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, Kenya’s First Lady Rachel Ruto, Liberia’s First Lady Kartumu Yarta Boakai, and former South African First Lady Tobeka Stacie Madiba Zuma.

The leaders emphasised the urgent need to protect mothers and newborns, especially those in remote and vulnerable communities.

Organisers and partners — including OAFLAD, UNAIDS, the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) and NAP+ Ghana — were praised for their technical support in driving the agenda forward.

In her closing remarks, Ghana’s First Lady Mrs Lordina Mahama said no child should be born with a preventable infection and no mother should be denied essential care and dignity.