Hot!
Spotlight on some African women in aviation, maritime industry
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Chipo-Gatsi.jpg&description=Spotlight on some African women in aviation, maritime industry', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Chipo-Gatsi.jpg&description=Spotlight on some African women in aviation, maritime industry', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
As the advocacies intensify, a lot more women continue to prove their mettle in various sectors, giving men a run for their money. In this edition, The Spectator explores the aviation and maritime industry to tell the stories of four African women who did not settle for less in advancing their chosen career.
Ms Miracle Izuchukwu
This licensed Commercial Pilot from Nigeria is part of the seven percent females and one per cent black female pilots in the world.
She obtained her Commercial Pilot Licence from the Federal Aviation Administration, USA, on May 9, 2022 and holds Private Pilot and Instrument Rated Pilot Licences from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“I grew up in a society that did not encourage young girls to dream big, career-wise. I remember watching lots of TED Talks to give myself more insights on possible careers that might interest me…to no avail,” she said.
In 2019, she had an encounter with an airline pilot while working as a Customer Service Representative which opened her eyes to the possibility of becoming a pilot.
“When I told my father I was considering becoming a professional Pilot, he said if he gets on a plane and sees a woman as the Pilot, he would get off the plane.”
In spite of the pain and confusion she felt following her father’s response, she did not give up on her ambition. Today, she is a Flight Attendant at American Airlines and working to build her flying hours in an effort to achieve her next goal of flying big planes. “If it’s truly something you want to do, you need to create it for yourself. In a world that wants us to whisper, I choose to shout,” she said.
Ms Elizabeth Marami
At age 25, she successfully passed the International Unlimited 2nd Mate Licence Examination in 2014, making her the first female Marine Pilot in Kenya.
She is a First Officer at Celebrity Cruises Incorporated and Founder of ‘Against the Tide’, an online platform whose mission is to inspire and advocate Sustainable Development Goal ‘5’in the seafaring sector by sharing stories of female seafarers across the globe.
Marami holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nautical Science from Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Egypt, a Certificate in Maritime Studies from Hochschule Bremen in Germany and currently pursuing an MBA in Operations Management from the University of Nairobi.
“Working in a male-dominated industry has had its challenges, including earning the respect of senior management as a female professional. I have had those who have accepted me, helped me become better, and there have been some rejections that stung so hard I almost gave up, but overall I would say I have certainly grown a thick skin,” she said.
Captain Londy Ngcobo
She is Africa’s first female Dredge Master and Global Ship Navigator; making waves on land as a Maritime Advocate, Businesswoman, Global Speaker and Conference Facilitator.
She is a former Maritime Compliance Manager of Transnet National Ports Authority, Founder of Global Maritime Youth and Chief Executive of Womaritime Experts, a consulting firm in the shipping industry.
Nicknamed “The Blackmermaid,” Captain Londy Ngcobo is passionate about unlocking Africa’s Ocean Economy. With over 14 years of experience in the Maritime industry, her background includes Maritime Studies and International Merchant shipping.
As a mother and wife, she is passionate about women and youth empowerment. Her experience has equipped her with the ability to focus on providing sustainable tools for women to thrive.
Ms Chipo Gatsi
Her desire to fly was ignited in her primary school days when she got an opportunity to get into the flight deck of a plane, when flying to Cape Town with her family. After completing her Advanced levels in 2007, she began to do something about her desire to fly. In 2008, she enrolled with a flying academy in South Africa.
In 2009, she completed her Professional Pilot Course at Port Elizabeth, and successfully obtained a South African Commercial Pilot Licence with Multi-engine & Instrument ratings. She immediately returned home (Zimbabwe) to convert her licence under the Zimbabwean Air Laws and Standards.
In 2010, at age 20, she joined Air Zimbabwe as a First Officer and went on to enjoy over a thousand hours of flying the Airline’s regional and domestic routes before joining Fastjet.
Driven by her desire to fly, Chipo did not fall victim to the limitations society places on millennials and women in particular where career choices are concerned.
“Believe it or not, there are people who still have reservations about a young black woman being a good pilot. I have learnt to go the extra mile and really push myself. Once you work on your competence, some of the negative stereotypes fall away.
“My focus is to continually get better at what I do and I cannot say it has not been paying off,” she said.
By Spectator Reporter
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
