2 years ago
Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has highlighted the difficulties that women confront in the workplace.
Despite the fact that all genders face failures in "a pretty cynical society out there," he claims that women face more difficulties.
He emphasized the significance of education and ethical leadership in a speech he gave at Ashesi University's 2022 Graduation Ceremony this week, challenging graduands to do everything it takes to positively affect their varied cultures in various professions.
"Believe me when I say that knowledge and ability are the most powerful weapons against prejudice. All of you will be confronted with these terrible facts, but the females will be confronted to a higher extent.
"Unfortunately, the rest of the world does not completely understand the enormous contribution our women make to society, and as a result, the women among you may face even greater obstacles," Mr Jonah remarked.
He noted that female leaders have been gamechangers in various ways across the world, mentioning Golda Meir of Israel, Winnie Mandela of South Africa, Indira Ghandi of India, Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, and, most recently, Angela Merkel of Germany as examples.
He went on to name eight Ghanaian women leaders he regarded as "extraordinarily gifted" after working with them in some manner.
The following is Sir Sam Jonah's list:
Standard Chartered Bank's Mansa Nettey
ABSA Ghana's Abena Osei-Poku
Afua Kyei, the Bank of England's youthful CFO
Media General's Beatrice Agyemang
Mimi Darko of the Food and Drug Administration
Vodafone Ghana's Patricia Obo-Nai
Hollard Insurance's Patience Akyianu
Lucy Quist, previously of Airtel Ghana, is currently the Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, one of the world's largest investment banks, in London.
Jonah Capital's Executive Chairman included his wife and daughter to the list, applauding their achievements in business and entrepreneurship.
"There's also my own wife, who is here with me today, a uniquely talented and inspiring woman who conceived and built Africa's first 5-star Marriott Hotel from the ground up; not to mention my daughter Tamara Jonah, who went into business after school and established what is arguably Ghana's largest event management company."
"These are only a few of the women who have demonstrated that bigotry cannot stop someone who is motivated to achieve; and these are women who, despite all odds, have cracked the glass barrier for your generation to imitate and possibly even surpass," he said.