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40 women honoured at 11th Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards
The General Manager of HotJobs, Mrs Mimi Serwaa Mefful, has called on stakeholders across Ghana’s economic and policy sectors to take concrete action toward achieving gender equality in policy planning and national investment.
Speaking at the 11th Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards in Accra on Friday, Mrs Mefful described women as the ‘silent architects’ of Ghana’s economy – financing families, mentoring traders, and building businesses from the ground up, often without recognition.
Organised by The Business Executive, a PAN WEST African media, communications and events management company, the event was held under the theme “Resetting the role of women in socio-economic reboot”, and aimed to honour female leaders who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and unwavering dedication to national development.
Despite women comprising more than 50 per cent of Ghana’s population, Mrs Mefful noted that they own less than 15 per cent of formal businesses. Most women, she said, are engaged in micro-and medium-scale enterprises, yet face significant barriers in accessing capital, markets, and digital infrastructure.
“Even in spaces where women are numerically present, they are often undermined when it comes to decision-making,” she stated. “And yet, brick by brick, city by city, child by child, women have built this nation.”
While acknowledging some progress, she stressed the need for a broader socio-economic transformation that positions women not merely as beneficiaries, but as co-creators of policy and opportunity.
The Head of Mission at the Diaspora African Forum, Dr. Erieka Bennet, also urged women in leadership to support others, emphasizing that real change comes through collective support not climbing alone.
Dr. Leslie Casely-Hayford, Director and Principal Consultant at Associates for Change, underscored the importance of women’s participation in both governance and the private sector, highlighting their pivotal role in nurturing families and shaping strong societies.
The Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards aim to publicly recognise Ghanaian women who have made remarkable contributions across diverse fields in both the public and private sectors including entrepreneurship, professional services, corporate leadership,
By Esinam Esinam Kuatsinu
News
Gov’t to build new public technical university in Western Region – Pres. Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his government will build a new public technical university in the Western Region to expand access to technical and vocational education for young people.
In a speech at the Jubilee House during a courtesy call by the Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, and other members of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, President Mahama said the new university forms part of a broader plan to prepare the region’s youth for emerging job opportunities in mining, oil and gas, agribusiness, and digital industries.
He explained that the technical university will be designed to meet the practical needs of industries in the region and across the country.
According to him, this move is crucial to Ghana’s long-term development goals, especially as the Western Region continues to contribute significantly to the national economy through natural resources.
“The Western Region holds immense potential to lead Ghana into a new era of industrialization and job creation. But we must equip our young people with the right skills. That is why we are building a new public technical university here” the President intimated.
He added that this new institution will work alongside other youth-focused programs, including a region-wide employment initiative focused on agri-tech, tourism, green jobs, and digital entrepreneurship.
President Mahama revealed plans to upgrade the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital into a modern teaching hospital that will serve as a referral center for the Western and Western North regions.
This, he said, would improve healthcare delivery and provide training grounds for medical students.
He assured the chiefs that these initiatives would help bridge development gaps and ensure that the youth in the region have better access to education, training, and jobs.
The President urged the chiefs to support these efforts by promoting peace, unity, and development in their communities.
News
Oil-producing communities in Western Region to benefit from sea defense and social projects – Prez Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has assured that coastal communities in the Western Region affected by oil and gas activities will see direct improvements in infrastructure, sea defense, and social services under his next development agenda.
The president made it clear that the discovery of petroleum in the region must be a blessing and not a burden.
He stated that towns like Essiama and Anochie, located in the oil-producing enclaves, would benefit from better roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, and agribusiness support as part of the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
He explained that the government is expanding sea defense projects along the coast to protect fishing communities from tidal wave erosion.
These efforts, he noted are also aimed at preserving marine livelihoods and supporting the coastal economy.
President Mahama revealed that the government will establish a dedicated oil and gas services hub at the Takoradi Port through a public-private partnership.
He said the expansion of the port would include new container terminals and dry bulk facilities to boost exports and reduce delays for vessels.
He added that the (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2013 (L.I. 2204) would be strengthened to ensure young people in the Western Region gain access to petroleum jobs, contracts, and technical training.
The president also announced that the Ministry of Energy had been directed to renegotiate land arrangements with landowners around the planned petroleum hub.
He said the government will release unused portions of land back to communities and pay compensation for land that will be used, starting with 5,000 hectares instead of the initially acquired 20,000 hectares.
He stressed that oil wealth must translate into better living conditions for the people whose lands and livelihoods are affected by exploration and production activities.
Jacob Aggrey
