Power to lead comes from a commitment to serve
Women leaders have been breaking barriers around the world and changing the way the world functions. Women often have to walk that extra mile and fight lone battles to make the world wake up and see the need for change.
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Like their sisters around the world, women in Ghana continue to fight tough battles to make the world around them notice and appreciate their capabilities and the impact they make to enable them to put an end to the misconception that women cannot be competent leaders.
Leadership may be defined as “relationship between a person and a group of people and the influence that person has on the group to achieve the desired goals.” As with any relationship, success depends on both parties. But the mark of a great leader is the ability to create a path for others to follow.
Throughout history, women leaders have seen the path to success as a struggle but now the tide has turned; and with it has come a “new awakening”. The leadership skills and traits that come naturally to women are now absolutely necessary for organisations to thrive.
This is a far cry from what the situation used to be. The 21st Century woman leader sees the journey to success as an opportunity to demonstrate her leadership qualities and she continues to exhibit her ability to handle all situations she faces effectively.
One woman who has taken this journey to reach the pinnacle of success is Ms Esther A.N. Cobbah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Strategic Communications Africa Limited (Stratcomm Africa).
Team leader
As the CEO of Stratcomm Africa, Ms Cobbah leads over 50 employees. She leads her team and encourages them by channelling their visions and goals and inspires them to achieve them. Her intelligence, wit, determination and courage have turned Stratcomm Africa, which started on a study desk and later moved into a container, into a super power communication agency which has undoubtedly become a force to reckon with.
The organisation’s recognition in the marketing and communications industry in Ghana and beyond has been largely achieved through her determination to continue pursuing excellence and being result-oriented.
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As a leader in the communication industry in Ghana, Stratcomm Africa provides customised communication services and products that serve the needs of diverse clients both nationally and internationally.
Since 1994, her leadership at Stratcomm Africa has seen the organisation’s service offerings grow to include research, monitoring and evaluation, development communications, branding and advertising, corporate communications, etc.
The organisation is dedicated to using communication as a means of enhancing performances in various contexts for individuals, organisations in the public and private sectors both nationally and internationally.
Stratcomm Africa now has two subsidiary companies, Softlanding, a corporate liaison and protocol organisation, as well as SkillHive, a training, facilitation and orientation company.
Awards
Over the years, the work of Ms Cobbah and her team has earned a strong reputation for the organisation and this continues to be acknowledged through various awards. She is the recipient of a number of accolades around the African continent and continues to excel in her leadership role.
This year, her alma mater, Wesley Girls’ High School, has contributed to her various forms of recognition. The school has honoured Ms Cobbah for making it proud with her personal achievements and successes and for being awarded the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Marketing Woman of the Year 2012. The school acknowledged her during its 177th Speech and Prize-Giving Day in February this year.
Last year, Ms Esther Cobbah was adjudged the CIMG Marketing Woman, as well as the Outstanding Corporate Woman of the Year. She is the recipient of other awards including the 2010 Best Entrepreneur in Media Communications. In addition, in 2013, Stratcomm Africa received the African Business Star Quality Award for Excellent Communications and Advertising Services, and was further recognised as the Best Consultancy and Promotion Service of the Year by the Association of Ghana Industries. The company was also adjudged the Christian Company of the year in 2008.
All leaders have philosophies that guide their life. Ms Cobbah believes that the power to lead must always come from a commitment to serve. Ms Cobbah, or Aunty Esther as she is affectionately called, demonstrates this at Stratcomm Africa where she has created a culture of service in which she looks out for the interest of people and supports them to succeed beyond what they thought possible.