Ghana VP: African Women Lead Without Recognition

Women in Ghana's markets have been running complex businesses for generations, yet few would call themselves leaders.

Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang highlighted this gap at the Women's Leadership Breakfast in Accra, an event hosted by Nigeria's Queen Consort Olori Ivie Atuwatse III. The gathering brought together powerhouse leaders including former Malawi President Joyce Banda and former Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.

"African women have long demonstrated their ability to lead, even when their contributions receive little recognition," Opoku-Agyemang told attendees. She drew from years of conversations with market women who assess risks, manage resources, and sustain entire communities through their business acumen.

These women might not use the word "leader" to describe themselves. But they exercise enormous responsibility and drive significant portions of Ghana's economy every single day.

The Ripple Effect

Ghana is moving beyond acknowledgment to action. The country recently launched three major policy instruments: the Social Protection Act of 2025, updated Social Protection Regulations, and new Affirmative Action Gender Equity Regulations.

But Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that passing laws is just the beginning. "Our responsibility is to build systems that enable more women to participate fully and benefit fairly," she said.

The upcoming Women's Development Bank aims to remove financial barriers that keep talented businesswomen from expanding what they've already built. Too many women have the skills and ambition but lack access to capital that matches their potential.

The Vice President called for practical collaboration across African nations. She wants to see concrete support for women whose abilities far exceed their current opportunities.

This breakfast conversation represents a shift from celebrating women's resilience to actually investing in their success. When African women finally get the recognition and resources they've always deserved, entire economies will benefit from talents that have been there all along.