Women have been urged to shift from the margins of society to the centre of leadership, innovation, and national development.
The call was made by Dr. Anatu Mahama, Chairperson of the Academic Women Foundation, at the maiden edition of the She Builds Conference held in Accra on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The conference, themed “Women in Entrepreneurship, Law, Built Environment and Engineering: Where Are We Now, Where Are We Going?”, brought together women professionals from across diverse and traditionally male-dominated fields.
Dr. Mahama explained that She Builds is not just the name of a conference but a bold declaration of women’s power to shape economies, transform communities, and reimagine the future. She noted that women in fields such as law, governance, and engineering continue to confront systemic barriers, yet they are already making inroads and reshaping these spaces.
According to her, the gathering offered women an opportunity to celebrate their wins, honestly assess their current position, and identify gaps that still need to be addressed. She expressed optimism that by the end of the conference, participants would share inspiring stories, engage in challenging conversations, and build networks of mentorship and collaboration to help women lead and excel in their chosen professions.
On her part, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey underscored the importance of women stepping boldly into leadership. She said that for generations women’s voices and talents have been confined to the margins, but “the margins are no longer enough.” She stressed that moving to the centre is not a favour to women but an act of justice.
Dr. Lartey added that Ghana’s first female Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, should serve as a beacon of hope for all young women aspiring to leadership. She called for a redefinition of power not as a position reserved for a few but as influence, inclusion and impact that must be shared by many.
The She Builds Conference was designed to serve as a platform for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing, with a focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, and accelerating gender equality.
Story: Nancy Obimpeh
