Meet the most influential young women in Ghana

Today is International Women's Day, a day meant not just to remember the strides and sufferings women have been through but an opportunity to celebrate women who have been leading amazing initiatives and organisations and have attained unprecedented achievements which in diverse ways are contributing to the development of their countries, organisations and people.

Here in Ghana, the story is not different, the day is being celebrated with events to honour Ghanaian women who have been very significant in our national and international decision making, the ones who have defied the odds and are redefining who an African Woman must be; the game changers who have rejected gender inequality and making a strong point for women and the potentials they possess.

Though this day is coupled with an ink of jealousy from men, it doesn't hinder them from joining the Global He for She movement in celebrating women and advocate for their inclusion in various national and international matters and programs. In 2013, I personally founded, Be A Girl, an initiative that awarded school girls who displayed excellence in both their academic and extra-curricular activities.

This List culled from the recent 2015 50 Most Influential Young Ghanaians ranking by Avance Media is a true exhibition of young Ghanaian women who have been exceptional in their activities towards the development of Ghana and the whole world.

In a respective order from the ranking, below are Ghana's Most Influential Young Women.

1. Farida Bedwei - Entrepreneur; CTO, Logiciel Ltd

2. Dr. Naomi Adjepong - Medical Doctor; COO, Alpha Beta Educational Centre

3. Martha Bissa - Athlete; Olympic Gold Medalist

4. Edem Adzaho - Trainer; CEO, Spec Consult Ltd

5. Sara Nana Yeboah - Philanthropist & Nurse; Co-Founder, The Sangy Foundation

6. Elizabeth Patterson - Social Entrepreneur; Girls Education Initiative Ghana

7. Shirley Frimpong Manso - Film Maker; CEO, Sparrows Productions

8. Becca (Rebecca Acheampong) - Musician

9. Kafui Adzah - Entrepreneur; CEO, Cookhouse

10. Israella Kafui Mansu - Entrepreneur; CEO, Mansuki Ghana Limited

11. Mercy Myles - Athlete; Skipper, Black Queens

12. Petra Aba Asamoah - Speaker; GM, Delta Air Lines GSA, Ghana

13. Mabel Aku Baneseh - Journalist; Daily Graphic

14. Sarah Adwoa Safo - Politician; MP, Dome Kwabenya Constituency

15. Juliet Ibrahim - Philanthropist & Actress; CEO, Juliet Ibrahim Foundation

16. Peace Hyde - TV Host & Journalist; CEO, AIM Higher Africa

Other young women who also deserve notable mentions for the works they have been engaged in include: Yvonne Nelson, Yawa Hansen Quao, Deborah Ahenkorah, Jane Awindor (Efya), Ethel Cofie, Kafui Danku, Anita Erskine, Rita Kusi, Rosalin Kyere Nartey, Elizabeth Bidazkin and the thousands of stars and change agents who are lifting the name, Ghana high anywhere they find themselves.

To read more about the women: kindly visit www.africanviewpointjournal.com

I hope this will serve as a great Inspiration for all women in guiding them to pursue their destiny and creating a significant success from it.