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Lilian Sally Addo – championing the UN agenda among Ghanaian youth
Lilian Sally Addo is the Country head of the United Nations Youth Association Ghana (UNYA) and her drive to ensuring the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is highly commendable and impactful to the nation.
She is spearheading the affairs and the role of the youth in nation building and making a collaborative effort to help achieve the Resolution 2250 set by the United Nations.
Ms Lilian is using her energy and a resilience to canvass youth across the nation to help maintain peace and security, which was in line with the UN Resolution 2250, as the thematic resolution that deals with the topic of youth from an international peace and security perspective.
The indefatigable lady has championed the association’s goals to be an ardent campaigner for the United Nations objectives here in Ghana in setting an example of youth leadership to maintain peace and security within the nation.
The Spectator exclusively interviewed this promising Country Head last week to discuss the measures put in place by her to make the association a very impactful or vibrant both locally and internationally.
Background/ Education
Ms Lilian hails from Winneba in the Central Region, but was born in Accra to Mr James Addo, a retired police officer cum farmer and Mrs Theodora Addo, a retired nurse.
Lilian schooled at New Hope Preparatory School and St. Mary’s Basic Schools, all at Korle-Bu, a suburb of Accra, and later proceeded to Mfantsiman Girls’ Secondary School, in the Central Region in 1992, where she read General Arts and completed in 1994.
Initially having a passion to be an air hostess, the visionary lady decided to pursue a bilingual course at Alliance Française and the Ghana Institute of Languages to enhance her proficiency in French and Spanish.
Her dream for becoming an air hostess did not materialise, when her parents “thwarted” the idea thus making her delve into Information Technology where she studied and earned an Associate Degree in Management Information System from the Institute for the Management of Information Systems, in the United Kingdom, from 1996 to 1998.
Ms Addo later came back to Ghana and worked at the Standard Chartered Bank, Accra High Street, for a short time.
To add value to herself, she further acquired professional certificates in Local and Wide Area Network (LAN), and (WAN) and Network Topology from Systems Communications Network Institute in the United Kingdom.
Later in life, Lilian aspired to be a lawyer so she read Paralegal Studies at Kaplan University, Davenport, Iowa, in the United States of America in 2012.
“I have love for entertainment so I wanted to be an entertainment lawyer so in 2012 to 2015, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Business Management at Fullsail University at Florida in the United States,” she said.
In quest for more academic achievement, she proceeded to read Master of Science in Legal Studies at the Washington University in St. Loius (School of Law), Missouri, USA, and is currently reading a doctorate degree in Leadership and Business Management at Capella University in Minneapolis Minnesota, USA.
Academic Awards
This “never say never” lady received a President’s Honour List for obtaining a 3.96 grade point in February 2010 term during her studies at Kaplan University, and again received a President’s Honour List for obtaining a 3.96 grade point in April 2009 term at the same university.
Since hard work pays, Lillian again received a Dean’s Honour List for earning a 3.96 grade point for September 2009 term at Kaplan University, and repeated the same record for obtaining 3.96 grade point in July 2010 term at the same school.
Careers/ Professional Achievements
Her zeal for making a remarkable impact on individuals has made her find herself doing multiple jobs.
Ms Lilian is the Chief Executive Officer of Creative Entertainment and Events Management Limited and is also the CEO of Creative Hi-Tech Solutions.
Also Lilian is the founder and president of the Humanitarian Reach-out Foundation, a non- governmental organisation.
While in the United States, she attended a nursing school and worked as a nurse Aide in the hospital.
According to the hardworking lady, she has done businesses across Africa, Asia and the Americas.
“I have trained and managed talents from cultural performers through models and artistes with my company, Creative Entertainment and Events (formerly Riclils Entertainment) and have done fulfilling works with my humanitarian work,” she revealed.
The Zeal for United Nations
She stated that her involvement in the United Nations came into light when she met a group of UN volunteers and they approached her to champion the cause of mobilising the youth to have a louder voice in fulfilling the Resolution 2250.
After accepting the offer, she built a strong UN administration and developed a team out of it in all the current 16 regions of Ghana by going on a national tour to build affiliations.
According to the Country Head, she went to the United Nation’s Headquarters to find out more about strengthening and forming a formidable association under the UN.
“I have attended many conferences organised by the UN and exposed more youths in Ghana to participate in more UN programmes both in Ghana and abroad.
Ms Lilian together with her team has formed a youth parliament with 275 Members of Parliament to advocate the affairs of the association.
Advice to Youth
The rice and kontomire lover admonished the youth to desist from peer pressure and stop living fake lives on social media, because the lifestyle of some youth negatively impacts others.
“The youth must identify their God-given talents, submit to authorities and guidance, and stay focused with the fear of God, which is the only lead-way to success”, she cautioned.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
For Mrs. Patience Antonio, founder of the Women’s Leadership Development Institute (WLDI), women’s empowerment is more than a popular phrase; it is a lifelong mission to help women rediscover their strength, purpose, and voice. Her journey has been shaped by years of advocacy, research, and field experience working with women and children across Ghana.
Her words carry both compassion and conviction as she reflects on the state of women in society. “We can’t keep talking about women’s empowerment when we don’t protect and support them,” she says gently. “Many women are struggling in silence, carrying heavy emotional and financial burdens. Real empowerment must build the woman from within so she can rebuild her family and her community.”
That conviction led to the establishment of the Women’s Leadership Development Institute, a training and mentorship hub designed to nurture women into strong, self-aware leaders. The Institute focuses on transforming women at all stages of life through a three-level training model that blends leadership education with practical life skills.
At the first level, WLDI works with professional and career women, including those already occupying leadership or administrative positions but seeking growth, balance, and renewed confidence. Mrs. Antonio believes that leadership begins with personal transformation. “Many professional women face burnout because they carry multiple responsibilities at work and at home,” she explains. “Our training helps them rediscover balance, develop emotional intelligence, and strengthen their leadership capacity.”
The second level targets women in business and entrepreneurship. These are the women who, despite limited resources, are running shops, farms, and small enterprises across Ghana. “We want to highlight women who are already leading their own businesses,” she says. “They are the silent engines of our economy. With the right mentorship, they can scale their ventures, manage finances prudently, and create job opportunities for others.”
To Mrs. Antonio, however, the third level is the most crucial—the empowerment of grassroots women. These include market women, small-scale traders, and women in the informal sector. She describes them as “the backbone of the economy but also the most neglected.”
“From our research, many social challenges we face as a country stem from this group,” she notes. “Some of these women struggle to provide for their children, leading to issues like streetism and unstable families. Others fall repeatedly into unhealthy relationships because they lack self-awareness and support. When we empower them with knowledge, discipline, and self-leadership, we strengthen the very foundation of society.”
Beyond personal and economic empowerment, the Institute also pays attention to community wellbeing. WLDI has been active in mobilising women to address sanitation and health issues in local markets. “Women are central to community hygiene and food safety,” Mrs. Antonio explains. “By educating market women on health and sanitation, we create cleaner, safer spaces for everyone.”
Her work is not limited to adult women. Mrs. Antonio’s vision extends to youth leadership, particularly among young women. She believes that grooming must begin early if the nation hopes to produce visionary leaders. “Leadership should not start when people are old,” she insists. “It should begin with discipline, values, and mentorship from a young age. We must prepare the next generation now, not later.”
Through her work at WLDI, Mrs. Antonio continues to advocate for policies and social systems that recognise women’s contributions at all levels, from the marketplace to the boardroom. She often reminds participants that empowerment is not about competition with men but collaboration for societal growth.
Her life’s mission is deeply rooted in her belief that when women grow, the ripple effects are felt in every home and community. “When a woman grows, a family grows,” she says with a smile. “And when families grow, nations become stronger.”
She also believes that national development demands inclusive leadership. WLDI therefore seeks to build a database of trained women across various sectors, ready for leadership roles, appointments, board representation, and decision-making platforms. She is convinced that when women are empowered to lead in homes, communities, workplaces, and public spaces, the ripple effect is stronger families, better societies, and a progressive nation.
Mrs. Patience Antonio is a wife, mother, transformational speaker, leadership advocate, and mentor who has spent years championing the growth and holistic development of women and youth. Her vision has touched lives in homes, churches, institutions, and professional spaces. She is married with three children and loves reading.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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Dr Lawrencia Abena Wurah: blending banking, politics, and philanthropy to create lasting impact
In a world where leadership often bends to convenience, Dr Lawrencia Abena Wurah stands tall as a woman of purpose, resilience, and integrity.
A distinguished Ghanaian banker, politician, and philanthropist, her journey is a shining example of how dedication, education, and compassion can blend to create lasting impact.
Currently serving as the Head of Strategic Sector Development (ICT Focus) at the Development Bank Ghana (DBG), Dr Wurah is championing the growth of Ghana’s digital economy.
Her role focuses on identifying and supporting bankable ICT projects through strategic partnerships with Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), ecosystem enablers, and policymakers. Her work advances DBG’s mission to promote inclusive growth, innovation, and job creation through digital transformation — a vision she pursues with clarity and conviction.
Before joining DBG, Dr Wurah made remarkable contributions to the financial sector during her 11-year tenure at Société Générale Ghana, where she served as a Relationship Manager in the Retail Banking Division.
She managed a diverse portfolio of clients, helping to expand financial inclusion and strengthen customer relationships. Her career at Société Générale reflected her firm belief that banking is not merely about transactions but about trust and empowerment.
Dr Wurah’s success story is grounded in her impressive academic achievements. She holds a Doctorate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice from OTMH Qualifications, UK, awarded through Marshalls University College, Ghana.
She also holds an MBA in Marketing, a BSc in Marketing, and several professional certifications — all of which underscore her lifelong commitment to learning and leadership excellence.
At her recent graduation, she was honoured with two prestigious distinctions — the Leadership and Organisational Performance Excellence Award and the Resilience and Perseverance Award. These recognitions celebrated not only her academic brilliance but also her determination and strength of character, qualities that continue to define her professional and personal life.
Beyond her thriving career in banking, Dr Wurah is also actively involved in politics, where she channels her passion for leadership, governance, and national development. She believes that politics, when rooted in integrity and service, can be a powerful platform for positive change.
Her philanthropic work is equally inspiring. Deeply committed to empowering young people, particularly women, Dr Wurah encourages them to pursue education and self-belief as tools for transformation.
She mentors many young women, guiding them to discover their potential and purpose in a world that often tells them otherwise.
Away from work, Dr Wurah describes herself as a lover of life. She enjoys reading, singing, and making others happy — a reflection of her belief that joy and kindness lie at the heart of meaningful living.
Her popular personal mantra, #Dey4WhoDey4You, speaks volumes about her loyalty and authenticity — qualities that have endeared her to many.
A proud Ghanaian with roots in both the Volta and Eastern Regions, Dr Wurah embodies optimism, strength, and grace. Her vibrant personality and unwavering determination continue to inspire those around her to dream bigger, serve better, and lead with heart.
Dr Lawrencia Abena Wurah is more than a banker or politician — she is a symbol of possibility, proving that with resilience, purpose, and compassion, one can build bridges between personal success and national progress.
By Edem Mensah Tsortorme
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