Top African women leaders unite to champion women’s empowerment

Prominent African women leaders, including two former presidents, policymakers, financial experts and politicians, have joined forces to advocate for greater women’s empowerment, financial inclusion and equal opportunities across the continent.

The leaders, who gathered at the Women’s Leadership Breakfast held in Accra on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, urged African women to remain resilient, pursue leadership opportunities and overcome barriers that have historically limited their participation in decision-making and economic development.

The event, organised by Elevate Africa in collaboration with Women Allying Women, was hosted by Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom in Nigeria.

It brought together distinguished personalities, including former President of Malawi, Dr Joyce Banda, former President of Mauritius, Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Matilda Asante-Asiedu, Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, among several dignitaries.

Discussions centred on women's leadership, entrepreneurship, financial independence and the need to dismantle structural barriers preventing women from reaching their full potential.

Addressing participants, Vice President of Ghana, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, highlighted the significant contributions of women to economic development, particularly those operating in markets across the country.

Drawing on years of interactions with market women, the speaker observed that many women demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities despite receiving little recognition for their contributions.

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According to her, women in Ghana's markets possess remarkable business skills, including financial management, risk assessment, resource allocation and problem-solving abilities.

"I have met women who understand business intimately, manage risk, support their families, and keep their enterprises going through circumstances that would test any business," she said.

The Vice President noted that although many of these women may not identify themselves as leaders, their daily decisions sustain livelihoods, families and communities.

However, despite their capabilities, significant barriers continue to prevent women from accessing opportunities that match their potential.

These challenges include unequal opportunities for career advancement, limited participation in decision-making and the disproportionate burden of domestic and caregiving responsibilities.

"We rightly admire women who succeed against the odds, but admiring exceptional women should not make us comfortable with those odds," she added.

The gathering also highlighted Ghana's efforts to promote gender equality and strengthen social protection through legislative and policy interventions.

Among the measures mentioned were the Social Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1148), the Social Protection Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2521), and the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2522).

The Vice President stressed that while these legal instruments represent important progress, their effective implementation would determine whether women experience meaningful improvements in their lives.

Attention was also drawn to the upcoming Women's Development Bank, an initiative intended to address financial barriers confronting female entrepreneurs.

The bank is expected to support women seeking to expand their businesses by improving access to financing and other economic opportunities.

Former Malawian President, Dr Joyce Banda, encouraged women to remain determined and committed to their aspirations regardless of the difficulties they encounter.

Reflecting on her journey to becoming President of Malawi, Dr Banda attributed her rise to leadership and achievements during her administration to her strong dependence on God.

She recounted that her administration witnessed the arrest of 72 individuals accused of theft, describing the development as a significant achievement in Malawi's history.

Dr Banda used her experiences to encourage women to demonstrate courage and determination in pursuing leadership positions.

She urged participants not to allow setbacks, societal expectations or personal challenges to discourage them from pursuing their dreams.

According to her, life presents numerous opportunities and women must remain prepared to take advantage of them.

She emphasised that perseverance, faith and determination are essential qualities for women aspiring to occupy influential positions in society.

Former President of Mauritius, Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, also challenged women to embrace calculated risks as an essential part of personal and professional development.

Sharing her experiences, she identified three major decisions that shaped her journey to success.

She explained that one of her earliest significant risks involved venturing into research on African traditional medicine, a field in which she subsequently achieved considerable success.

Another important decision, she said, was choosing to marry, while her eventual decision to assume the presidency of Mauritius represented another defining moment in her life.

Dr Gurib-Fakim encouraged women to venture into entrepreneurship and explore opportunities beyond their comfort zones.

She stressed that fear of failure should not prevent women from pursuing their ambitions, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men.

Her message reinforced the need for women to develop confidence in their abilities and remain willing to embrace new challenges.

Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Matilda Asante-Asiedu, underscored the importance of improving women's access to financial resources to support entrepreneurship and sustainable business development.

Participating in the Phase Two Fireside Conversation, she contributed to discussions on women's financial inclusion, access to funding and strategies for building sustainable enterprises.

Drawing on her extensive experience in banking and financial leadership, Asante-Asiedu highlighted the challenges many female entrepreneurs face in securing financial assistance to establish and expand their businesses.

She emphasised the need to create an enabling environment in which women can access financial support and opportunities to grow their enterprises.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening financial systems to accommodate women entrepreneurs, particularly those operating small and medium-sized businesses.

Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, shared an emotional account of the challenges she encountered on her journey to Parliament.

The legislator disclosed that she survived three alleged assassination attempts before eventually securing her parliamentary seat.

She also recounted experiencing arrest and threats to her personal safety during her political journey.

According to her, the situation became so challenging that she sometimes had to wear a bulletproof vest while breastfeeding her child.

Despite these difficulties, she remained determined to pursue her political ambitions and ultimately succeeded in becoming a Member of Parliament.

Using her personal experiences to inspire participants, the MP urged women not to abandon their aspirations because of intimidation, setbacks or societal barriers.

"Pursue, focus on your dream and never give up. Always strive to achieve your dreams, and one day you will get there," she encouraged.

She emphasised that women must develop resilience, confidence and determination to overcome obstacles, particularly when seeking leadership positions.

The Women's Leadership Breakfast provided a platform for influential African women to exchange experiences, share practical solutions and strengthen partnerships aimed at advancing gender equality.







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