The Ghana Women Forum reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women across the country during its annual in-person summit this week, emphasizing economic independence, leadership development and mentorship for the next generation.
Dr. Adeline Baidoo, president and founder of the Ghana Women Forum, told attendees the forum’s objective is to prepare women to be “resilient, focused and determined” so they are not “suppressed” and can “choose themselves” in career, public life and business. “If you are a woman and you are not resilient, if you are not focused, if you are not determined, you will continue to be suppressed,” she said.
Conference programming targeted women of substance and university students transitioning into the workforce, with sessions covering confidence-building, focus, business etiquette and entrepreneurship. Dr. Baidoo said students were invited to help them understand real-world challenges they may face after graduation and to equip them to build sustainable careers.
“This year’s theme, ‘The Future Is Women,’ reflects our goal for women to become economically independent and hold higher positions,” Dr. Baidoo said. She added that the forum has held monthly online conferences for nearly four years and organizes an annual in-person event to deepen its impact. Previous initiatives have included summits for single mothers and programs aimed at accelerating women’s leadership.
Dr. Adeline Baidoo stressed that increasing female representation in politics and leadership roles remains a priority. “We want a lot of women to be in politics… We want women to be given positions. We shouldn’t say women cannot do it,” Dr. Baidoo said, urging society to support women’s advancement rather than discourage it.
The summit brought together policymakers, educators, and entrepreneurs, including *Prof. Goski Alabi, President and Founder of Laweh University College, for discussions on expanding opportunities for women nationwide.
Speaking during at the forum, an officials credited the Affirmative Action Law as a foundational step toward parity. The official pointed to the growing visibility of women in leadership roles, including the country’s first female vice president, Nana Jane — as evidence of the government’s commitment.
“Women’s leadership can change the narrative,” the speaker said, citing recent female appointments to ministerial and executive positions.
Officials outlined two new programs targeting women’s financial inclusion and youth skills development.
The first is a dedicated women’s banking initiative aimed at improving access to financial services, credit, and savings for women entrepreneurs. The second is a “1 Million Coding Program” designed to equip younger women and youth with digital skills that enable remote work and entrepreneurship.
Analysts say the measures align with broader continental trends on women’s economic participation and digital inclusion. If implemented effectively, the banking scheme could increase capital access, while large-scale digital training could diversify income sources for young women.
Advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs formed a key part of the summit. Participants warned against the pitfalls of social media, noting its potential both to empower and to mislead. Women were urged to cultivate self-belief, avoid comparisons driven by online portrayals, and reject any sense of inferiority tied to origin or circumstance.
Beyond individual encouragement, speakers called for a cultural shift in democratic practice. Emphasizing deeds over rhetoric, the forum urged Ghanaians to move from “talking” to tangible action, stating that sustainable progress requires “right actions, proper conduct and commitment.”
Ghana’s policy announcements reflect growing momentum on gender equity, but experts say strong implementation will determine impact. Challenges include ensuring complementary measures such as childcare support, mentoring, and targeted investment so women can fully benefit from leadership and economic programs.
Observers will be watching for implementation timelines, measurable targets for the women’s banking scheme and coding program, and indicators of increased women’s participation in leadership and business ownership.
The forum’s primary speaker was identified in the transcript as an unnamed government official. Further official statements and detailed policy documents have not yet been published.
Panelists highlighted practical outcomes the forum seeks to achieve: more women entrepreneurs, CEOs and public officeholders, and a generational uplift through mentorship and role modeling. Dr. Baidoo concluded with a call to financial self-reliance: “Every woman can make it. If you are a woman, choose yourself, build yourself, earn your own money.”
The Ghana Women Forum conducts monthly virtual events and an annual summit focused on women’s empowerment, leadership, and economic development. The organization aims to equip women with the skills and confidence to pursue careers, entrepreneurship and positions of influence.
For more information about the Ghana Women Forum and upcoming events, contact the organization through its official channels.
