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Vivo Energy holds maiden ShePower Summit 2025 to empower women into leadership
Vivo Energy Ghana, the exclusive distributor and marketer of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants has held its maiden edition of ShePower Summit 2025 with a call on women to own their power and not to wait for permission to lead.
The shePower Summit is designed to inspire and empower young women to excel in their academic and professional journeys, particularly Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
The event, which was on the theme, “Fueling Change: Redefining Possibilities for Women in STEM”, seeks to promote female empowerment and inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated industries, including oil and gas sector.
The occasion formed part of the Vivo Energy’s commemoration of the International Women’s Day and the ongoing commitment to promoting gender diversity and inclusivity.
Dr (Mrs) Ellen Hagan, the Founder and Group CEO, L’AINE Group and Co-Founder/Legacy Girls’ College, who made the call said, “we must own our power, and must stop waiting for permission to lead.
“As women, many of us are taught to second-guess ourselves, to wait for someone else to affirm our worth. But true leaders are those who don’t wait. They don’t need someone to validate their authority – they own it and step boldly into positions of influence,” she stated.
She emphasised, “No one is going to hand us (women) the leadership positions or economic opportunities we deserve in STEM. We must step forward, confidently claiming the spaces that we belong in, and making sure our voices are heard.”
She said leadership was the ultimate frontier of empowerment and that women must be present at the tables where decisions were made – in governments, boardrooms, financial markets, and global institutions.
“Some have played a crucial role in pushing for legislative and institutional reforms to ensure that women are given equal access to leadership and governance roles. As a leader in business, I have seen first-hand the transformative power of women in leadership,” she stated.
Dr Mrs Hagan said, “When women lead, businesses perform better, economies grow, and societies prosper.
Madam Reinette Wessel, Vivo Energy Group Chief HR Officer in a speech encouraged women to devote 80 per cent passion for work and 20 per cent knowledge to improve their conditions of life.
She said Vivo Energy invested in future leaders through their young talent and internship programmes such as Young Talent Programme, Succession Pipelines, and Resource Strategy.
Madam Wessel said under the Young Talent Programme, 400 young talents/graduates joined their business for between six-12 months to gain workplace experience, while the Succession Pipelines strengthened the talent and value the input of young talent, which brought different thinking and ideas.
“Investing in young talent is part of our resourcing strategy – create an exciting and rewarding experience,” she stated.
Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection in a speech read on her behalf said the passage of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity ACT, (Act 1121) by Parliament would strengthen the efforts of increasing women and girls in decision making bodies such as the School Representation Council, among others.
“Additionally, the Ministry has taken steps to review and update the National Gender Policy (2015),” she stated. She said the policy sought to create equal opportunities for all by mainstreaming gender equality and women’s empowerment concerns into the national development process to improve the social, legal, civic, political, economics, and cultural conditions of Ghana.
Dr Lartey said the Ghana Education Service under the auspices of the Ministry of Education had introduced new model schools for STEM schools.
“The introduction of these STEM schools has helped students to develop key skills including problem-solving skills, creativity, digital literacy, and critical thinking. Over five STEM schools have been established and operational.
“The results of these initiatives will invaluably promote gender equality, equity, and empowerment, thereby creating an enabling environment to ensure that more women and girls enter into STEM fields.
GNA
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GoldBod Taskforce Cracks Down on 10 Chinese gold smugglers in Western Region
In a bold move against illegal gold trading, the Ghana GoldBod Taskforce has made headlines by executing a significant operation in Asankragua, a town in the Western region of Ghana.
The regulatory body apprehended ten Chinese nationals suspected of smuggling gold, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against illicit trade and resource exploitation in the country.
The operation was a meticulous sting, showcasing the commitment and precision of the GoldBod Taskforce.
In all, authorities seized an impressive 1.3 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately GHC1.4 million along with GHC1.3 million in cash and a selection of casino cards.
The materials recovered suggest a potential linkage to organized crime and money laundering activities, raising alarms about the depth of illegal operations within Ghana’s gold industry.
Addressing the media shortly after the bust, Sammy Gyamfi (Esq.), the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, expressed the board’s dedication to enforcing the GoldBod Act 1140.
According to him, this critical legislation explicitly prohibits foreigners from engaging in local gold trading, a measure designed to protect Ghanaian miners and bolster the economy.
The CEO emphasized the importance of upholding the law to safeguard the nation’s resources from exploitation.
“Today marks a significant step in our fight against illegal gold trading,” Gyamfi asserted. We will not tolerate any individual or group that seeks to undermine our laws and exploit our resources. The GoldBod Taskforce is here to protect our gold from illegal exploitation, and we will hold accountable anyone who bypasses our regulations,” he said.
He added that this operation signifies a profound shift in Ghana’s stance on illegal gold trading, which has long threatened the nation’s wealth and the livelihoods of countless local miners and businesses.
“The arrest of the Chinese nationals also sends a clear message: the era of unchecked smuggling is coming to an end,” he concluded.
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Prof. Dodoo named ARSO President Emeritus
The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has unanimously conferred Professor Alex Dodoo with the honorary title of President Emeritus following resolutions by both its executive council and general assembly.
The decision, which was taken during the 31st General Assembly of ARSO in Zanzibar, Tanzania, last Friday, recognised Prof. Dodoo’s exceptional leadership in advancing continental standards for trade, safety and sustainable development.
The resolution ensured his continued advisory role in the strategic direction of ARSO while mentoring future standardisation leaders across Africa.
The Secretary-General of ARSO, Dr Hemogene Nsengimana, said the title of President Emeritus was reserved for leaders whose impact transcended their tenure, reflecting lifelong dedication to their field.
Excellence
As immediate past ARSO President and Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. Dodoo spearheaded the creation of critical structures within ARSO and influenced harmonisation initiatives supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Professor Dodoo, an expert in pharmaceuticals, public health, and standards regulation, has played a pivotal role in shaping the standardisation landscape of Africa.
Under his leadership, ARSO saw effective collaboration among member states culminating in the general assembly this year, and bringing together a record 34 countries, the highest in the history of the organisation.
The advocacy of Professor Dodoo for “One Standard, One Test, One Acceptance” across Africa has been instrumental in reducing technical barriers to trade and fostering economic integration.
In his new role, Professor Dodoo would continue to provide strategic guidance to ARSO, mentor emerging leaders in standardisation, and champion the voice of Africa in global standards bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Professor Dodoo, in his acceptance remark, said, “This honour is not just a personal milestone but shows the collective efforts of all stakeholders working toward a standardised, competitive, and quality-driven Africa.”
He said, “Our journey is far from over, and I remain committed to the vision of an Africa where standards fuel prosperity.”
As President Emeritus, Professor Dodoo is expected to focus on critical areas such as strengthening Africa’s quality infrastructure, advocating for standards in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and digital economies and bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers in standardisation.
Competence
The Executive Director of the Standards Division at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Dr Sadhvir Bissoon, said Prof. Dodoo had contributed towards the leadership of the ARSO Council in driving strategy, governance, “reviewing our laws and statutes and ensuring their implementation”.
“I hope he will still serve the needs and aspirations of ARSO in his new role,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Private sector leaders who attended the event also lauded Professor Dodoo’s efforts to align African standards with global best practices.
The Regional Director of COTECNA, a key partner in the continental standards community, Antoine Anne, for his part, said the appointment of Professor Dodoo reaffirmed the commitment of the African continent to excellence.
