By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Ghana has opened the 9th Africa Women Conference (AWC) in Accra, bringing together influential women leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and development experts from across the continent to advance conversations on women’s leadership, innovation, and sustainable development.
The three-day conference, held from 19th to 21st November 2025, is themed “Legacy Meets Innovation: Women Forging New Pathways for Africa’s Sustainable Development.”
Now in its ninth year, AWC has grown into one of Africa’s leading platforms for strategic dialogue, providing women with access to networks, resources, and partnerships that drive socio-economic progress.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, welcomed delegates on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
She noted that the theme reflects the continent’s urgent need to strengthen women-led enterprises and integrate innovation into development planning. Dr. Lartey highlighted the rapid growth of digital tools and technologies, stressing that Africa must adopt inclusive policies that enable women to fully participate in the digital economy while eliminating discriminatory practices that hinder progress.
The Minister announced that President Mahama has approved the establishment of a Women’s Development Bank, a new initiative expected to expand financing, training, and business support for female entrepreneurs and women-owned small businesses.
Dr. Lartey commended AWC organisers and partners for sustaining a continental platform dedicated to advancing gender equality and development. She officially declared the 2025 Africa Women Conference open, encouraging participants to build stronger networks and actionable strategies that will empower women across the continent.
