National Women’s Summit & Expo celebrates another milestone

On March 7, 2025, the Grand Arena played host to an extraordinary celebration, as women from all walks of life came together to make history at the 7th National Women’s Summit & Expo.

Held at the iconic Grand Arena, this event reaffirmed its position as Ghana’s leading conference for women in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The National Women’s Summit, an annual affair has become a cornerstone of Ghana’s commitment to gender equality. What started as a modest initiative six years ago, courtesy of Charterhouse, has blossomed into an awe-inspiring gathering where women come together to share, mentor, and inspire.

Mrs. Theresa Oparebea Ayoade, the CEO of Charterhouse and convener of the summit, could barely contain her joy as she welcomed a diverse crowd that included teens, seasoned professionals, high-flying executives, and esteemed queen mothers.

This wasn’t just another conference; it was a powerful, intergenerational celebration of women rising, thriving, and championing each other.

As Mrs. Ayoade passionately shared her journey, the room was reminded that no woman rises alone—and that mentorship, networking, and self-discovery are keys to unlocking untapped potential.

“Let’s not just talk about gender equality; let’s accelerate action” she charged them.

Her words ignited a collective sense of purpose, adding that the time to act is now, and everyone—be it young women, business moguls, or policymakers have a role to play.

And speaking of action, the keynote speaker, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, President of the Ghana Bar Association, delivered a stirring address on the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, challenging all present to push beyond implementation and make sure this new law is lived, breathed, and reflected in real institutional change.

Mrs. Ghartey reminded everyone that “true empowerment is not something that is given, but something that is earned through action.”

Shedding Light on Women in Agribusiness, Nana Yaa Owusu-Ansah, Beauty & Personal Care Marketing Director at Unilever Ghana & Francophone Africa, shares her insights on the innovative ‘Industry Spotlight on Women in Agribusiness’ segment, a new addition to the summit.

This exciting feature highlights the vital role women play in Ghana’s agribusiness sector, showcasing their successes, challenges, and contributions to the industry.”

As the headline sponsor of the summit, she emphasized the vital role women play in Agribusiness and the synergy with the Geisha brand.

She said, “Geisha is immensely proud to once again be the headline sponsor of this powerful women’s summit. Just like the incredible women we honor today; Geisha draws its strength from nature’s nurturing touch. Packed with natural ingredients like cocoa, coconut, lemon, aloe vera, and rose.” 

She went on to make a bold brand promise, outlining the steps Geisha is taking to support women in Agribusiness: “Today, Geisha is taking bold strides to accelerate progress in Agribusiness. We’re launching a nationwide initiative to discover and support 10 visionary young women entering the agribusiness field. These women will undergo a comprehensive training program designed to arm them with the skills they need to excel. “

“And that’s not all—each of them will also receive seed funding from Geisha to grow their businesses. I believe that when women in agribusiness thrive, they don’t just grow—they multiply. Geisha isn’t just investing in their ventures; we’re igniting their potential and inspiring a future filled with abundant harvests,” she further added.

From the beginning through to the end of the event, there were series of discussions some of the sharpest minds and the most accomplished women leaders diving deep into critical issues like overcoming leadership barriers for women in both corporate and public sectors, to the intricacies of the Affirmative Action Law.