Founder of Mission Africa champions women’s economic empowerment at Women Conference

The Founder of Mission Africa Organisation (MAO), Ms Victoria Adasonla Temitope, has called for greater investment in women’s leadership, skills development and economic opportunities to accelerate Africa’s development.

She said empowering women, particularly those in rural communities, required more than advocacy, but rather a deliberate effort to improve their access to education, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities.

Ms Temitope made the call at the 2026 African Women Conference (AWC) which opened in Accra last Wednesday.

The four-day event which started on November 4 to November 7, 2026 brought together women leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and development practitioners from across the continent to discuss women’s advancement and inclusive development.

It was on the theme: “From Rights to Economic Power: Advancing Accountability, Trade, Innovation and Financial Inclusion for African Women.”

A major highlight of the conference was a collaboration between MAO and the AWC on the ESLGIG Executive Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Gender-Inclusive Governance programme.

Facilitated by Visionary HR and Management Consulting, the programme had the City Institute of Iron Learning (CIHL), Canada, as its educational partner.

The initiative sought to strengthen strategic leadership and gender-inclusive governance by combining leadership development, practical skills acquisition and entrepreneurship to equip participants with competencies for sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities.

It focused on a number of discussions and examined ways of translating women’s rights into practical economic opportunities through trade, innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive financial systems.

Taking part in the first session which was on the theme, “Inclusion without barriers: Rural women and girls are the centre of development,” Ms Temitope said the collaboration aligned with Mission Africa Organisation’s Skills Acquisition Programme, which sought to bridge the gap between education and economic participation.

She reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to developing capable leaders, expanding women’s participation in governance and creating opportunities for skills development and entrepreneurship across Africa.

Ms Temitope said strategic partnerships and practical interventions were essential to translating discussions on women’s empowerment into lasting economic benefits.

The session also emphasised the need to address barriers limiting rural women’s and girls’ access to education, skills training, economic opportunities and leadership, while ensuring their active participation in development.

Ms Temitope said Mission Africa Organisation was committed to empowering people, developing skills and building opportunities across Africa.

BY CLIFF EKUFUL

SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS

Read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.

#GhanaianTimes #TimesNewsPlus

Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q