40 Roses Foundation marks International Women’s Day with ‘Cocktails and Conversations’
The 40 Roses Foundation has commemorated the 2026 International Women’s Day with its flagship “Cocktails and Conversations” event, bringing together leading and emerging female voices to advance dialogue on gender equality and leadership.
The event, held at the Labadi Beach Hotel on March 8, was led by the Foundation’s Founder and Executive Director, Penelope Mawulolo Jones-Mensah. It was powered by Brainwave Africa Tech, in partnership with the Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa and supported by the United Nations Population Fund, reflecting a strong collaboration between the private sector, civil society and international partners.
Held under the global theme “#GiveToGain: Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” the event brought together more than 50 established and emerging women leaders for networking, mentorship and frank discussions on leadership and inclusion.
A key feature of the programme was a special dialogue on the role of men as allies in promoting gender equality, with participants exploring practical ways to support women’s leadership and foster inclusive workplaces.
The Special Guest of Honour, Charlotte Osei, delivered remarks centred on leadership and resilience. Other speakers included Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, Director-General of Prisons; Elsie Addo Awadzi; and Dr Saajida Shiraz, Chief Executive Officer of the Student Loan Trust Fund. Anita Bondzie and Theresa Ayoade also shared perspectives on youth leadership, innovation and professional development.
The event attracted several distinguished participants, including Dr Miriam Rahinatu Iddrisu, Social Policy Advisor to the Vice-President; Justice Georgina Mensah-Datsa of the Court of Appeal; Simone Giger; and Diarra Dimé-Labille.
Driving mentorship, leadership
In her opening remarks, Ms Jones-Mensah highlighted both the progress and persistent challenges facing women, noting that while access to education for girls in Ghana had improved significantly, disparities remained in leadership, economic participation and decision-making.
She commended John Dramani Mahama for appointing Ghana’s first female Vice-President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and for his role as an African Union Gender Champion, stressing the importance of male advocacy in advancing gender equality.
Ms Jones-Mensah underscored the value of mentorship and intergenerational leadership, stating that “the voices of experienced women leaders in this room matter more than ever. We must amplify our voices, share our journeys honestly and speak with clarity and conviction so that our wisdom rises above the noise.”
She added that authentic stories of resilience, integrity and purpose provide young women with direction, confidence and vision.
Charter for sustained impact
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the Executive Commitment Charter, under which participating leaders pledged to mentor at least one young woman over the next year. The initiative is aimed at institutionalising mentorship and ensuring long-term impact beyond the event.
Reflecting on the Foundation’s mission, Ms Jones-Mensah emphasised that connecting accomplished professionals with girls from underprivileged backgrounds creates transformative relationships that nurture future leaders and innovators.
“Progress isn’t just about policy; it’s about the stories we share and the ladders we lean down for those coming after us,” she said.
Celebrating women’s empowerment
The event concluded with networking and experience-sharing sessions, reinforcing the core themes of mentorship, leadership and inclusive growth in line with the spirit of International Women’s Day 2026.
