The President of the Ghana Chapter of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), Jemilat Jawula Mahamah, has been elected and appointed as the first black woman to be the Secretary of WISTA International at the just ended Annual General Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
Mrs. Mahamah and elected new President, Elpi Petriki of Greece, along with other executives, would steer affairs of the association for a two-year renewable term.
The meeting, held on October 28, 2022 at the iconic Hotel President Wilson, continued with a conference under the theme ‘Collaboration for Sustainability – Cross-Industry Solutions for the Future’.
WISTA International has a total membership of 56 National WISTA Association (NWA), and each one is represented by the President or a delegate at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and casts their vote for their country’s choice for the President.
More than 250 members from over 35 countries out of the 56 national WISTAs converged in Geneva for the AGM, with the keynote address delivered by the Secretary-General of International Maritime Organisation, Mr. Kitack Lim.
Having led a team of women in the WISTA Ghana Association to achieve greater feat – both locally and globally, Jawulaa Mahamah is determined to be become an ambassador for Ghanaian women in the maritime industry.
The WISTA Ghana President is also currently the Executive Director of LAUFWERK Ghana and Northern Shea. Prior to this, she worked with the United Nations/African Union Hybrid Mission (UNAMID) – Darfur, Sudan as Deputy Chief Movement Controller.
She is also a former Alternate Permanent Representative of Ghana to the International Maritime Organisation, London.
Jemilat Mahamah is a Chartered Member of Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, London. She also holds an MSc in Maritime Affairs – Shipping from WMU, Malmo, Sweden, and an MA in Personnel Management – CDG Germany.
The Ghanaian delegation to this year’s Annual General Meeting included Africa Director and former Exco member of WISTA International, Mrs. Naa Densua Aryeetey; General Manager in charge of Corporate and Marketing of GPHA and President of WIMOWCA GHANA, Mrs. Esther Gyebi Donkor; the General Manager of Finance for GPHA, Mawuse Sapati; and the former Deputy Transport Minister, Joyce Mogtari Bawah.
About WISTA International
The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA International) was formed in 1974 as a global organisation connecting female executives and decision-makers worldwide.
WISTA International incorporates 56 National WISTA Association (NWA), representing more than 3,800 female professionals from all maritime industry sectors.
NWAs provide in-country and regional networking, business and skill-building opportunities, corporate visibility, and facilitate industry relationships.
WISTA works toward the following:
· Minimising the existing gender leadership gap in the maritime, trading and logistics sectors.
· Building a community among its members, facilitating the exchange of contacts, information and experiences.
· Promoting the creation of business relationships among its members.
· Facilitating the professional development of its members.
· Providing liaison with other related institutions and organisations worldwide.
