FirstBank Women’s Network Empowers Future Leaders at Ola Girls SHS

The FirstBank Ghana Women’s Network organized an empowering mentorship and objective-setting event at Ola Girls Senior High School in Ho, reaching more than 500 students.

This effort is a component of FirstBank's dedication to supporting young women and developing their leadership abilities to help them face upcoming challenges and seize available opportunities.

The gathering aimed not just to motivate but also to provide students with real-world strategies and knowledge they can use in both their studies and personal experiences. The environment was lively, with students participating in dynamic conversations, sessions, and connecting with successful experts.

Victor Yaw Asante, the Managing Director of FirstBank Ghana, highlighted the significance of these efforts, saying, "our dedication to supporting young people is central to our mission. Guidance and setting objectives are crucial for growth in both personal and career aspects."

By supporting their capabilities, we enhance personal lives and play a role in the overall socio-economic progress of our country. I urge young leaders to seize every chance, gain knowledge from their mentors, and stay committed to their quest for outstanding achievement.

Mr. Asante, together with other important members of the FirstBank team, such as Grace Isaac Aryee, Treasurer and Chairperson of FirstBank’s Women Network, Ida Appiah (Head of Credit Analysis & Processing), and Herbertha Quansah (Head of Financial Institutions), brought a unique element to the day.

Naa Adokailey Amofa, Head of Human Capital Management & Development at FirstBank Ghana, provided insightful perspectives on career development and the significance of establishing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) objectives. She mentioned, "currently, we have influenced more than 500 talented young individuals, providing them with vital skills and knowledge to manage their future careers. It is essential for these students to recognize that defining clear goals is the initial step toward realizing their aspirations. I urge each of you to dream ambitiously, back those dreams with practical strategies, and maintain perseverance when facing obstacles. Keep in mind, every major accomplishment starts with one small step, and we are here to assist you along this path."

Throughout the session, participants engaged in multiple workshops centered on leadership development, financial awareness, and building personal brand. They were given a chance to listen to accomplished women from diverse fields who discussed their journeys, obstacles they faced, and how they achieved their current roles. This experience not only inspired the students but also enabled them to imagine the possibilities for their own professional futures.

Jamila Isa Munkaila, the Area Head at FirstBank for Accra West, emphasized the significance of community involvement, stating, "initiatives such as these are crucial for connecting education with practical experiences. Our goal is to motivate these young women to follow their dreams and lead with self-assurance." The gathering also included interactive discussions where students posed questions and received advice from their mentors on the spot. This immediate exchange created a feeling of inclusion and support among the participants, highlighting that they are not isolated in their paths.

As the event came to a close, Mr. Asante highlighted the significance of investing in the personal and professional growth of the youth to collectively build a better future for Ghana. He encouraged all attendees to collaborate, inspire, and empower each other, leaving behind a legacy that will motivate future generations. He also praised the Women’s Network and expressed sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in this initiative, noting that their support brought joy, encouragement, and tangible assistance to many young girls, further demonstrating the bank's dedication to creating an inclusive atmosphere where all individuals can succeed.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).

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East Africa: From Policies to Progress – Empowering Women Now

By Joyce Ojanji

When the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) funded- Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) East Africa initiative began, the challenge was clear. Across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda, millions of women faced the same barriers: unpaid care work, gender-segregated labour markets, and locked-out procurement opportunities. The initiative promised something different, evidence that could break these cycles.

For five years, fifteen research teams across the region spent years generating evidence, crafting policies, and proving what works for women’s economic empowerment. The GrOW East Africa chapter has now closed, and the evidence is overwhelming. Now comes the part that determines whether the five years of work will transform lives or gather dust.

The results speak volumes.

In Tanzania, women’s participation in public procurement jumped from 12% to 85% after targeted training. In Uganda, market-based childcare centres freed up women’s time for income-generating activities. In Kenya, the Kidogo childcare model not only empowered women entrepreneurs but also sparked the creation of Nakuru County’s first Child Care Facilities Act.

Each of the fifteen GrOW projects delivered policy wins. Some influenced national frameworks. Others shaped county-level regulations. A few triggered international conversations about unpaid care work and gender-based labour market segregation.

Patricia Wekulo from the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) smiled as she recounted Kenya’s journey. ‘’Nakuru County had no clear policy framework for childcare facilities before our study. Now they have legislation.’’

In Tanzania, Vivian Mkaazi, a senior researcher at the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), watched government officials participate directly in training sessions with women entrepreneurs. ‘’The Ministry of Gender embraced the project. They wanted to own it.’’

As experts rightfully noted, evidence and policies are only the beginning. During the GrOW End-of-Project Workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya, stakeholders came together not just to celebrate successes, but to interrogate what it will take to move from research to real change.

The answer, according to many, is clear: political will. Without it, all the evidence generated risks gathering dust on shelves. As Dr. Annet Mulema, senior program officer at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), rightfully put it, without strong implementation, policies remain promises.

Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director of Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)raised the question that hung over the entire workshop.

‘’What I would have loved to hear more about is how the political will was mobilized within these projects. Because that is needed everywhere. The how of mobilizing political will and maintaining it through the implementation phase—I would have loved to know more, knowing there are implementation gaps after policy creation,” he said.

According to Sendugwa, political will is not just about getting leaders to sign documents; it is about motivating them to take action, sustained commitment through budget cycles, administrative changes, and competing priorities. It is about enforcement when compliance lags. It is about fighting corruption when it undermines policy effectiveness.

The workshop revealed promising directions. In enforcement and compliance, regulators now have tools to ensure policy implementation. For scalability, innovative solutions like the Kidogo model prove that successful interventions can be replicated across contexts. Several projects identified cultural barriers as persistent challenges.

As Dr. Hellen Otieno from Strathmore University notes, changing norms requires multi-layered approaches involving communities, private sector partners, and sustained advocacy. The evidence base now exists to design more targeted norm-change interventions.

Women’s enterprises need formalization to access public procurement opportunities, requiring collaboration between government registration systems and private-sector mentorship programs. Several GrOW projects demonstrated successful models for such partnerships.

The workshop highlighted multiple collaboration opportunities. Research institutions can partner with implementing organizations to scale successful models. Government agencies can work with private sector players to formalize women’s enterprises. Regional bodies can facilitate knowledge sharing across borders.

But collaboration and research mean little without sustained political commitment. Political will grows when stakeholders see tangible benefits. The GrOW projects succeeded partly because they demonstrated clear value to multiple constituencies, not just women, but families, communities, and local economies.

Maintaining that political will requires continuous engagement, regular success stories, and visible champions at every level of government, Sendugwa noted. The evidence is there. The policies exist. The question now is whether countries will seize this moment to transform millions of women’s lives.

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Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).

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