Glitz Africa is all about celebrating and empowering women. Being an aspirational brand, we have produced events like the annual Ghana Women of the Year Honours, Glitz Style Awards and Glitz Africa Fashion Week, SHE Summit and SHE Boss.
In our issue number 24 which is themed ‘Women of the Year’, Glitz Africa Magazine compiled 100 names of inspirational women who work in various capacities to make Ghana proud. We call them inspirational because they are pillars of encouragement to every African young woman that every dream and ambition is possible to achieve; that through hard work and determination, the female can also earn a seat at the table.
The list includes phenomenal women like Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh, the first female Country General Manager of IBM Ghana, Barbara Baeta, founder of Flair Catering Services and Delese Darko, CEO of the Food and Drugs Authority.
See the list below:
- Abiola Bawuah
Abiola Bawuah is the Regional CEO, West Africa 1, overseeing the Group’s subsidiaries in Ghana, Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Previously, she was the Managing Director/CEO of UBA Ghana.
- Afua Krobea Asante
Afua Krobea Asante is the CEO of Azmera Restaurant, a unique first-class restaurant with a touch of Ghanaian tradition, providing total comfort and excellent taste of both local and continental cuisines.
- Prof Dr. Afua A. J. Hesse
Prof. Hesse is a paediatric surgeon and medical educator. She is Ghana’s first female Pediatric Surgeon with over 37 years of experience in her work in both the UK and Ghana. She also served as President of World Association of Women Doctors; second African woman to hold the position in 91 years.
- Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh
Angela is the first female Country General Manager for IBM in Africa, responsible for its Ghana operations. She is a seasoned marketer with over 15 years’ experience in marketing and sales.
- Abena Antwi
Abena is a lead innovation scientist with Burt’s Bees brand. She develops and drives expert knowledge of emerging technologies, trends, new products and raw materials to drive new product innovation.
- Anita Erskine
Anita Erskine-Amaizo is an entrepreneur and media personality. She runs the Anita Erskine Media, a multi-faceted Communications Consultancy, carrying the “Africa Will Rise and Tell Her Story” strategy.
- Aisha Ayensu
Aisha is a fashion designer and creative director at Christie Brown, a luxury women’s fashion brand.
- Afia Pokua
Afia is a journalist and News Editor at The Multimedia Group Ltd.
- Afua Asabea Asare
She is the CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA). Prior to that, she served as Special Advisor to the Minister of Business Development.
- Sarah Adwoa Safo
Hon. Safo is a lawyer and politician. She is the Member of Parliament for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. She serves as Deputy majority leader of Parliament and the Minister of State in charge of Government Procurement.
- Angela Dwamena-Aboagye
Angela is a Ghanaian lawyer, gender activist, and the Executive Director of The Ark Foundation Ghana. She established the first shelter for battered women in Ghana and also set up a crisis centre to render sexual and gender-based violence and child abuse services in different locations in Ghana.
- Abena Amoah
Abena is the founder and CEO of Baobab Advisors. She served as CEO of NewWorld Renaissance Securities Limited and Head, Investment Banking & Finance, Ghana at Renaissance Capital, Moscow. She is an Independent Non-Executive Director at Access Bank Ghana Plc.
- Abena Brigidi
She is a Ghanaian fund manager, the CEO and Co-Founder of NIMED Capital Limited, a Ghanaian-based company that provides top-notch corporate finance and investment banking services.
- Adelaide Ahwireng
She is the Founder and Managing Director of Fio Enterprises Limited, a leading business in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) segment, distributing products mainly for Unilever Ghana Limited and Nestle Ghana Limited.
- Abena Osei-Poku
She is the Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana.
- Akua Sarpong Ayisa
She is the CEO of Unique Floral, a leading floral and event decorating company in Ghana.
- Akua Owusu-Nartey
She is the Regional Managing Director of Ogilvy Africa Group. She is a marketer, strategic thinker and business leader driving change in the area of integrated communications.
- Ayesha Bedwei
Ayesha Bedwei is a Partner in PwC based in Ghana who specialises in tax advisory services focused on the Energy sector, and helps Energy clients solve their tax problems and manage their tax affairs efficiently.
- Barbara Baeta
She is the founder of the Flair Catering Services which has catered for every Head of State of Ghana since 1968, most diplomatic missions, governmental and private institutions, and many foreign dignitaries.
- Beatrice Wiafe Addae
She is the President of Breast Care International and CEO of Peace and Love Hospital.
- Bernice Daapah
She is the Founder and Executive Director of Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, an award-winning social enterprise which was nurtured from a commitment project of the President Clinton Global Initiative University.
- Betty Kumahor
Betty is a Managing Partner at The Cobalt Advisors. She was previously the Regional Managing Director of Pan-Africa for ThoughtWorks. Enyo chairs the Woman 2.1 Summit Advisory Board and the Ghana Women in IT (GWITT) organisations.
- Bozoma Saint John
Bozoma is the Chief Marketing Officer of Endeavor. She served as Chief Brand Officer at Uber until June 2018. St. John was also a marketing executive at Apple Music until June 2017.
- Caroline Esinam Adzogble
Caroline is an Entrepreneur, Educationist, Business Coach, Diversity maverick, Advocate for women and girls in technology and the Founder of IAES Africa, Potters International College, Admission in 30 Minutes, Everyday Travels and Tours, Caroline Technology Solutions, Co-Founder and President of Caroline University and the Mercy Heart Foundation.
- Boatemaa Duffuor Barfour-Awuah
She is the Executive Director of Star Assurance Company Ltd in charge of Finance and Administration.
- Claudia Lumor
Claudia is the CEO of Glitz Africa, publisher of the Glitz Africa Magazine; founder of Ghana Women of the Year Honours, Glitz Style Awards and Glitz Africa Fashion Week. She is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
- Cynthia Lumor
Cynthia is the Director of External Affairs, Social Performance and Local Content at Tullow Ghana Limited. Prior to that, she was a Corporate Service Executive at MTN Ghana.
- Deloris Frimpong Manso
She is an entrepreneur, television and radio show host, producer, public speaker and women’s advocate.
- Charlotte Osei
Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei is the former chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana; the first woman to hold the position. She also served as the chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education.
- Comfort Ocran
She is the CEO of Legacy & Legacy and Executive Director of Springboard Roadshow Foundation. She is also the co-founder of Combert Impressions.
- Constance Swaniker
She is a sculptor and founder of Accents & Art Ltd, the premier purveyor of the finest crafted bespoke wrought iron furniture made in Ghana.
- Cynthia Mamle Morrison
She is currently the Member of Parliament for the Agona West constituency and serves as Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection.
- Dentaa Amoateng MBE
Dentaa is the founder and CEO of GUBA; instituted to celebrate, acknowledge, and support Ghanaian based businesses and individuals in the UK.
- Delese Mimi Darko
Delese Mimi Darko is the CEO of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana. She is a pharmacist with over 24 years’ experience in regulation of medicines with respect to clinical trials’ regulation, marketing authorisation and post approval safety monitoring of medicines.
- Dzigbordi K. Dosoo
Dzigbordi is the Founder and CEO of Allure Africa Group; an award-winning premier Spa & Lifestyle Business headquartered in Accra, Ghana with an office in Washington DC, USA.
- Dzifa Dey
Dr Dey is the Director of Rheumatology Initiative (tRi); a medical non-profit organisation dedicated to providing education, advocacy and research into the autoimmune rheumatic conditions in Ghana and Africa.
- Dzifa Bampoh
Dzifa served as News Editor and anchor at Multimedia Ltd. She received the RTP’s Radio Newscaster of the Year Award (English Language) in 2011 and 2015. She is currently the Communications Manager of Tullow Ghana Ltd.
- Dorothy Gordon
She is a technology activist and development specialist; founding Director General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE).
- Ellen Hagan
Ellen is the CEO of L’AINE Services Ltd, Ghana’s leading HR organisation. She is the co-founder of Legacy Leadership Girls’ School, a secondary institution that aims at nurturing the leadership potential in girls.
- Edith Dankwa
Dr. Edith Dankwa is an entrepreneur, consultant, group publisher and CEO of the Business and Financial Times Limited.
- Esther Cobbah
She is the CEO and Lead Communication Strategist of Strategic Communications Africa (Stratcomm Africa), a leading total marketing communication agency in Ghana which has been in existence for over 21 years.
- Efya (Jane Awindor)
She is a singer and songwriter. She won the Best Female Vocal Performance category at the Ghana Music Awards in four successions, beginning in 2011. Efya has subsequently collaborated with several of Ghana’s music stars which have become great hits.
- Eugenia Tachie-Menson
Eugenia is a passionate educator who makes learning fun for children under 18 through co-curricular programmes. She obtained the exclusive rights to run the Scripps Spelling Bee (of the USA) in Ghana. She also set up the Young Educators Foundation (YEF) which currently runs in Ghana and Nigeria.
- Ethel Cofie
She is the Founder of Women in Tech Africa, Africa’s largest women in tech group with members in over 30 Africa countries and in the diaspora. Ethel is also the CEO of EDEL Technology Consulting which provides IT and software services as a catalyst for businesses to achieve their goals.
- Ethel Adjorlolo Marfo
Ethel is an award-winning social entrepreneur and activist. She is also the Founder & CEO of Junior Shapers Africa, a social enterprise championing male child personal development in Africa and currently focused on Ghana and Liberia.
- Emma Morrison
Emma serves as Group Head Business Programming, Radio, TV, IM at Multimedia Group Ltd. She is a veteran Ghanaian television personality and media professional.
- Elsie Effah Kaufmann
Elsie is a Senior Lecturer and founding Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ghana. She has been the Host/Quiz Mistress of the Ghana National Science & Mathematics Quiz TV Programme since 2006.
- Elsie Addo Awadzi
She is the second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana. Prior to the appointment, she was Senior Counsel of the IMF’s Legal Department (Financial and Fiscal Law Unit) with experience working on countries such as Japan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
- Farida Bedwei
Farida is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Logiciel, a Ghanaian software company that develops technology solutions which promote financial inclusion for the unbanked.
- Frema Osei Opare
Akosua Frema Osei Opare is the current Chief of Staff of Ghana; the first woman to hold this position.
- Francisca Ashitey-Odunton
She is Ghana’s High Commissioner to Kenya. Prior to that, she served as the Deputy Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). Francisca is a media practitioner with over 25 years of experience as a broadcaster.
- Francisca Oteng-Mensah
Francisca is a Member of Parliament for the Kwabre East Constituency and is the youngest parliamentarian of the fourth republic of Ghana.
- Gifty Osei-Boakye Bingley
She is a Creative Brand and External Relations Strategy Executive. She is also the former Director of Corporate Communications and Responsibility at Tigo Ghana.
- Grace Amey-Obeng
She is the founder and CEO of Forever Clair Group of companies. Grace is also an Executive Member of the Association of Ghana Industries in the position of National Treasurer.
- Grace Nortey
She is a veteran actress who led multiple roles on screen in the 1990s.
- Georgina Theodora Wood
She is a judge and a former police prosecution officer. She’s also the former Chief Justice of Ghana; the first woman to occupy that position. She serves as a member of the Council of State.
- Gloria Akuffo
Hon. Akuffo is the current Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
- Professor Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensa-Bonsu
She is the current president of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences as well as the director of Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD).
- Joselyn Dumas
She is an award-winning actress and television personality.
- Josephine Anan-Ankomah
Josephine serves as Group Executive, Commercial Banking of the Ecobank Group. Prior to this, Josephine Anan-Ankomah was the Managing Director of Ecobank Gambia. She is a well-rounded banker with over 25 years’ experience within Ecobank.
- Juliet Asantewa Asante
Juliet Asante is a famed Ghanaian filmmaker and Board Chairperson of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI). She is also the CEO of the Black Star International Film Festival.
- Johanna Odonkor Svanikier
She is the Founder, President and CEO of the Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa. She is also Ghana’s former Ambassador to France & Portugal and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and La Francophonie.
- Joyce Ababio
Joyce Ababio is an award-winning fashion designer and founder of the Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design.
- Joyceline Coleman
Joyceline is the partner responsible for the Accounting Advisory Unit of KPMG in Ghana. She has over 20 years’ experience in Financial Management Software implementation, Project Management, Designing of Financial Reports, Training and Development and the Auditing and Review of Computerised Systems.
- Kate Quartey-Papafio
Kate is the founder and CEO of Reroy Cables Limited; one of the leading manufacturers of electrical cables in Ghana.
- Kosi Antwiwaa Yankey
Kosi Antwiwaa Yankey is the Executive Director for the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI).
- Nana Ama McBrown
She is a television host and actress.
- Lucy Quist
She is the founder and CEO of Quist Blue Diamond. She also serves as the President of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Ghana.
- Matilda Asante-Asiedu
She is a Senior Manager and Head of the Exclusive Banking at Access Bank Ghana Plc. Her portfolio spans Private Banking, Women Banking as well as Embassies and NGOs.
- Maataa Opare
She is the Group Head of Legal and Company Secretary at the Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd after serving as Legal Officer and subsequently Legal Counsel.
- Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong
Marietta is a legal practitioner and a former Attorney General and Minister for Justice of Ghana.
- Gladys Amoah
She is the Managing Director of Unilever Ghana.
- Mansa Nettey
She is the CEO & Executive Director of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Ltd. and serves on the board of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Ltd. Mansa is a member of Leukemia Foundation of Queensland.
- Nana Aba Anamoah
Nana Aba is an award-wining broadcast journalist and television host. She is a News Editor at EIB Network.
- Nana Adwoa Awindor
She is a veteran television host and the Development Queenmother of Afigya-Kwabre district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. She is also the First President of the Continental Executive Board of the African Queens and Women Cultural Leaders Network. She is a member of the Ghana National Union of Queenmothers; as well as the founder of the Obaapa Development Foundation.
- Nana Oye Lithur
She is a barrister and politician. She is a former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection.
- Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings
She is a former First Lady of Ghana and the first female to contest in the presidential elections for the National Democratic Party.
- Ophelia Crossland
She is a fashion designer with international repute who creates eclectic designs that represent Africa to the rest of the world.
- Oheneyere Gifty Anti
She is a Ghanaian journalist and broadcaster. She is the host of the Standpoint programme; which discusses issues affecting women on Ghana Television. She is also gender advocate and feminist.
- Patience Akyianu
She is the Group CEO of Hollard Ghana Holdings Limited. Prior to that, she was the managing director of Barclays Bank Ghana.
- Pearl Esua-Mensah
Pearl is the Group CEO of the Media General Group which owns over six media brands including TV3, Onua 95.1 FM, 3FM 92.7, Akoma 87.9FM, Connect 97.1FM, 3news.com and Adesa Productions. Prior to her appointment, she was the Managing Consultant of Feniks limited, a company she founded.
- Penelope Jones-Mensah
Penelope is the Founder and Executive Director of the 40 Roses Foundation, a uniquely designed initiative that links 40 accomplished professional women mentors with 40 underprivileged girls.
- Patricia Obo-Nai
Patricia is the CEO of Vodafone Ghana, the first Ghanaian woman to occupy the position. She served as Director of Fixed Business and Customer Operations of Vodafone Ghana and also led the company’s Consumer Business Unit.
- Rebecca Akufo-Addo
She is the First Lady of Ghana as well as the founder of the Rebecca Foundation which focuses on reducing maternal mortality, improving children’s health as well as providing avenues to increase the economic contribution of women.
- Regina Honu
Regina Honu is a social entrepreneur, software developer and founder of Soronko Solutions, a software development company and the Soronko Academy, the first coding and human-centered design school for children and young adults in West Africa.
- Roberta Annan
Roberta Annan is the Managing Partner of Roberta Annan Capital Partners (RACP), a specialised boutique investment and advisory company active in industries like energy, health, education, real estate, agribusiness, technology, etc. She is also the Founder of the African Fashion Fund.
- Ronke-Amoni Ogunsulire
She serves as Country Manager at the International Finance Corporation. She is part of the Sub-Saharan Africa team at the firm and is a Country Manager for Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Togo.
- Rosa Whitaker Duncan-Williams
Rosa is the President and CEO of The Whitaker Group, a leading transaction advisory and project development firm. She is also the President of Mercy Ships International; a global faith-based charity operating the world’s largest private hospital ship bringing hope and healing to the poorest of the poor in Africa.
- Rosina Acheampong
She is the first Ghanaian Headmistress of Wesley Girls’ High School. She was later promoted to be the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) becoming the first woman to hold this position.
- Rashida Saani Nasamu
She is a Communications Consultant and CEO of I-ZAR Group.
- Rosalin Abigail Kyere-Nartey
Rosalin is a seasoned hospitality and tourism consultant with track record of producing, presenting and managing the implementation of innovative hospitality and tourism business solutions and services in Africa and across the world.
- Samira Bawumia
She is the wife of the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.
- Sarah Mary Adetola
She is a lawyer and founder of the Fair Justice Initiative.
- Shirley Frimpong-Manso
Shirley is an award-winning film director, writer, and producer. She is the founder and CEO of Sparrow Productions, a film, television and advertising production company.
- Sadia Chinery-Hesse
She is the Secretary & Group Head-Legal at Enterprise Group Ltd, after serving for three years as the Group’s Legal and Governance Consultant. She is also the director of City Investments Company Limited and G4S Security Services Limited.
- Theresa Oppong-Beeko
Theresa is the president of the Manet Group which comprises Manet Housing, Manet Beach Paradise, Manet Construction and Manet Towers.
- Theresa Ayoade
Theresa Ayoade is the CEO of Charter House, organisers of the annual Ghana Music Awards and producers of the Miss Malaika Ghana beauty pageant.
- Ursula Owusu-Ekuful
She is a lawyer, women’s rights activist and a Ghanaian parliamentarian representing Ablekuma West constituency. She also serves as the Minister of Communications.
- Yvette Atekpe
She is the Regional Managing Director of Internet Solutions; having been in the telecommunications and IT sector for over 20 years. She has been involved in establishing world-class customer service teams for ICT organisations in Africa during her time working in the sector.
- Wiyaala
Noella Wiyaala is an Afro pop singer-songwriter who sings in her native Sissala and Waale dialects and English, often combining all three languages within her songs.
