The maiden edition of the Women in Mining and Energy Awards (WIMEA) came off successfully in Accra last weekend.
The event is a platform to promote awareness on gender inequality, diversity and inclusion and also to publicly recognise and celebrate companies championing diversity and inclusion; and individual women who have contributed to the development of the mining and energy industry in Ghana.
The awards also seek to promote achievement of the SDG goal 5 (Gender Inequality) and 10 (Reduced inequalities).
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, said any initiative aimed at enhancing the representation and development of women is worth supporting.
Over the last two decades, she said the importance of gender diversity in the socio-economic transformation of Ghana has received much attention, but more still needs to be done to improve gender diversity, inclusion and inequality issues.
“As women, it is our responsibility to look at how we can attract more women into these industries and retain those already working there,” she added.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, in a statement read on her behalf, called for stronger partnerships to create an all-inclusive environment that promotes integration and collaboration for women to position themselves for the future in mining and energy sectors.
“Our presence here is a testimony to the fact that, achieving gender equality in the mining and energy sector, is a shared goal and a national priority. Therefore, as we have gathered here today, it is paramount we push forth to innovations and campaigns that will strategically position us as women to meaningfully contribute to the provision of reliable and renewable energy as well as innovative practices in mining,” she said.
Awards
The awards celebrate the role and achievements of women and companies that have made significant contributions to the two sectors. The ceremony also sought to create awareness of the importance and need for the inclusion of women in these industries.
Some of the winners on the night include Baker Hughes Ghana, which won the Excellence in Diversity Programmes and Performance award, Goldfields Ghana Ltd as Employer of the Year Championing Diversity and Inclusion, and the Electricity Company of Ghana as Best Company in Women Empowerment Initiatives.
Outstanding Services Company of the Year went to Consolidated Shipping Agencies Ltd, Karpowership Ghana was adjudged Best Company in Mentorship Programmes and Initiatives, while the winner of Best Company Women Network Group, went to Goldfields Ghana.
In the individual awards category, Jane Reason Ahadzie, CEO of JRA Cosmetics Ltd, was adjudged the overall WIMEA Woman of the Year, Oghogho Dixon, MD, Baker Hughes, Exemplary Leadership Award (Energy), Chief Operations Officer Of The Year went to Linda Vasnani, COO, Consolidated Shipping Agencies and Catherine Kuupol Kutor, Metallurgical Manager, Gold Fields Ghana Ltd, as WIMEA Personality of the Year.
Other winners include Elinam A. Horgli, deputy MD, JK Horgle Transport & Co. Ltd, who took home the Rising Star in Energy, Gender Diversity Champion of the Year, Rosemond Asamoa-Frimpong, who is Gender Diversity Manager at ECG, Sandra Amarquaye, Corporate Communication Manager, Karpower Ghana as the winner of Sustainability and External Relations Champion award and Dr.Georgette B. Sakyi-Addo CEO, Georgette Barnes Ltd., as CEO of the Year.
Mrs. AHADZIE, CEO of JRA Cosmetics Ltd, also received the Special Recognition award for her exemplary commitment, passion and success in women empowerment, gender diversity and inclusion.
