To commensurate the world’s annual celebration and honouring women dubbed International Women’s Day, Charterhouse in partnership with Frytol has successfully hosted the 4th edition of its annual National Women’s Summit. The summit was held on March 8 at the Grand Arena inside the Accra International Conference Center.
Theresa Ayoade, convener of the summit and CEO of Charterhouse, as part of her opening speech said: “I believe each year, we make more progress towards gender parity. This year’s theme is so apt right now because it challenges each of us here to be intentional about breaking biases toward women. Right from the homes and how we socialise our male and female children.
What are the things we say to them and how do our culturally and socially accepted gender roles continue to perpetuate these biases against our gender? I have been guilty of gender bias and I was called out by my daughter. Then I realised that I was unconsciously exhibiting biases out of probably my upbringing. How do we sow seeds now so there’s a pipeline for the next Women Leaders? This is what the National Women’s Summit is about.”
The keynote speaker was in the person of Abiola Bawuah, the Regional CEO, West Africa, overseeing the group’s business in nine countries. She joined UBA Ghana in 2013 as Deputy Managing Director and was elevated to serve as the MD/CEO of UBA Ghana in 2014. She touched on the constant need to give the girl child a chance to do and be more.
As part of the summit, panel discussions were held on two themes: ‘Break The Bias’ and ‘You Deserve a Life of Goodness’ – these featured some of the most experienced business leaders in Ghana who were invited to also share their stories and expertise.
The panelists for the Break the Bias session included, Dr. Mabel Banson, first female Neurosurgeon in Ghana; Theresa Yamson, CEO- Riker (GIHOC) Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Anna Nabere, Manager- She Leads Project by Plan International; and finally students from Accra Girls Senior High school namely, Marie Lyse Quansah and Nafisa Mohammed.
Patience Ofori Mpereh, Marketing Director of Wilmar Africa, said: “Every woman has a desire to manage and balance everything: family, profession, raising children and others; and to live her life to the fullest- this I believe most of us here can relate. As we juggle all activities as wives, single women, mothers or professionals, we ought to remember that our mental, physical and financial framework among many others need to be sound.”
She ended her speech by unveiling the brand ambassador for Frytol. “She is a woman who resonates with our target audience: a professional woman with years of experience in the media, a radio anchor, one of Ghana’s finest actresses, a wife, a mother of two and a fitness advocate, who strives to balance it all as a woman. Therefore, on this journey of goodness, we are happy to announce for the very first time, the Frytol Brand ambassador Nisirine Ashorkor Doku- popularly known as Naa Ashorkor.”
Speakers on the ‘You deserve a life of goodness’ panel included Ewuraba Ekua Adusei, currently the Marketing Manager of Wilmar Africa Limited, with over 10 years’ experience in the FMCG; Akosua Amponsah Baffour Asiedu-Jones, CEO and General Manager of Distribution & Co Limited (DnC), a full service distributor of FMCGs; Quiana Canfor-Dumas, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science degree in Operational Management; Helena Adu-Gyamfi – Managing Partner of Perfect Personal Care; Renee Opare-Otoo, a registered and licensed dietitian with over five years’ experience and consults as a nutritionist for the Ghana Football Association (the first ever appointed) and also offers in-person and virtual nutrition consultations for some clinics.
Panel discussions were moderated by Edem Knight-Tay, Programmes Manager, Joy FM and newly unveiled brand ambassador, Naa Ashokor. The event was also coupled with an exceptional performance from songstress Cina Soul.
The 4th National Women’s Summit is sponsored by Frytol, supported by She Leads by Plan International and produced by Charterhouse in collaboration with Joy FM.
