National Women’s Summit & Expo celebrates another milestone

On March 7, 2025, the Grand Arena played host to an extraordinary celebration, as women from all walks of life came together to make history at the 7th National Women’s Summit & Expo.

Held at the iconic Grand Arena, this event reaffirmed its position as Ghana’s leading conference for women in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The National Women’s Summit, an annual affair has become a cornerstone of Ghana’s commitment to gender equality. What started as a modest initiative six years ago, courtesy of Charterhouse, has blossomed into an awe-inspiring gathering where women come together to share, mentor, and inspire.

Mrs. Theresa Oparebea Ayoade, the CEO of Charterhouse and convener of the summit, could barely contain her joy as she welcomed a diverse crowd that included teens, seasoned professionals, high-flying executives, and esteemed queen mothers.

This wasn’t just another conference; it was a powerful, intergenerational celebration of women rising, thriving, and championing each other. As Mrs. Ayoade passionately shared her journey, the room was reminded that no woman rises alone—and that mentorship, networking, and self-discovery are keys to unlocking untapped potential.

Her challenge to the crowd? “Let’s not just talk about gender equality; let’s accelerate action!” A call to arms, if there ever was one. Her words ignited a collective sense of purpose. The time to act is now, and everyone—be it young women, business moguls, or policymakers—has a role to play.

And speaking of action, the keynote speaker, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, President of the Ghana Bar Association, delivered a stirring address on the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, challenging all present to push beyond implementation and make sure this new law is lived, breathed, and reflected in real institutional change. Mrs. Ghartey reminded us all that “true empowerment is not something that is given, but something that is earned through action.”

Shedding Light on Women in Agribusiness, Nana Yaa Owusu-Ansah, Beauty & Personal Care Marketing Director at Unilever Ghana & Francophone Africa, shares her insights on the innovative 'Industry Spotlight on Women in Agribusiness' segment, a new addition to the summit. This exciting feature highlights the vital role women play in Ghana's agribusiness sector, showcasing their successes, challenges, and contributions to the industry."

As the headline sponsor of the summit, she emphasized the vital role women play in Agribusiness and the synergy with the Geisha brand. "Geisha is immensely proud to once again be the headline sponsor of this powerful women’s summit. Just like the incredible women we honor today; Geisha draws its strength from nature’s nurturing touch. Packed with natural ingredients like cocoa, coconut, lemon, aloe vera, and rose, Geisha nourishes the skin—much like the women who grow the very ingredients that fuel our brand. Empowering female farmers isn’t just part of our mission; it’s the root from which Geisha flourishes.”

She went on to make a bold brand promise, outlining the steps Geisha is taking to support women in Agribusiness: "Today, Geisha is taking bold strides to accelerate progress in Agribusiness. We’re launching a nationwide initiative to discover and support 10 visionary young women entering the agribusiness field. These women will undergo a comprehensive training program designed to arm them with the skills they need to excel. And that’s not all—each of them will also receive seed funding from Geisha to grow their businesses. I believe that when women in agribusiness thrive, they don’t just grow—they multiply. Geisha isn’t just investing in their ventures; we’re igniting their potential and inspiring a future filled with abundant harvests.”

From the beginning through to the end of the event, there were series of discussions some of the sharpest minds and the most accomplished women leaders diving deep into critical issues like overcoming leadership barriers for women in both corporate and public sectors, to the intricacies of the Affirmative Action Law.

Panel Discussions:

Accelerate Action: Overcoming Barriers for Women in Corporate (Public & Private Sectors)

This session took a closer look at the challenges women continue to face in corporate environments, particularly in breaking through barriers in the public and private sectors. The discussion featured:

• H.E. Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, Barbados’ High Commissioner to Ghana, whose international perspective on women’s leadership was an eye-opener.

• Maidie Elizabeth Arkutu, Former Unilever CEO & Senior Business Leadership Consultant, who shared her extensive experience breaking corporate glass ceilings.

• Hon. Sophia Karen Edem Ackuaku, Former Member of Parliament for Domeabra Obom, who brought valuable insights from her experience in public office.

• Mrs. Sheila Minkah-Premo, Convenor of the Affirmative Action Law Coalition Center, who focused on the legal and systemic barriers to gender equality.

• Janet Sunkwa-Mills, CEO of Jane'M Salon & Spa and Chairperson of the Executive Women Network who spoke to breaking mental barriers to progress

Women in Business Panel: Women Leading in Business & Entrepreneurship

A stellar panel featuring some of the most successful businesswomen in Ghana shared their personal journeys and business insights. The panelists included:

• Felicia Twumasi, CEO & Founder of Ghana Home Foods, who discussed scaling up businesses in a competitive market.

• Deloris Frimpong Manso (Delay), CEO of Delay Foods, who shared her entrepreneurial experience in a rapidly evolving industry. • Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN, who brought a technology perspective to assisting in the growth of businesses

• Amma Gyampo, CEO of Ghana Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (GVCA), who explored the world of investment and the need for more female participation in venture capital.

Becky Enyornam Ahadzi, Coordinator of the Affirmative Action Coalition, who spoke about the intersection of gender policy and business opportunities.

The summit progressed with an MTN SME IMPACT HUB which offered technology based solutions to businesses to make them more efficient.

The summit also hosted an engaging Youth Leadership & Career Forum, a highlight of the day. This forum included a Career Guidance Session hosted by Total Energies, offering valuable advice to the next generation of women leaders.

As the day progressed, the energy continued to build with high-impact sessions with speed mentoring sessions done in collaboration with the EXECUTIVE WOMEN’s NETWORK providing the next generation of women with the unique opportunity to connect with seasoned mentors. It wasn’t just a chance for career advice; it was a chance for young women to seize every opportunity, step boldly into their power, and learn how to become the leaders they are meant to be.

Of course a gathering of women cannot be complete without a bout of shopping, which was provided by the exhibition of women owned businesses from packaged food to herbs and spices, fashion, health and wellness.

For many, the message of the summit was clear: “in spite of the challenges and biases we face as women, with persistence and perseverance, every and anything is possible.” Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a student, a corporate executive or public official, the 7th National Women’s Summit & Expo reminded us all that the future is female—and that the only thing standing between us and our dreams is the action we are yet to take.