Ghana’s Second Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia, has underscored the value of this year’s Africa Women’s Sports Summit in driving conversation and action on sports leadership across the continent.
H.E. Samira, who made this sentiment known during her keynote address as the special guest for this year’s edition, also stressed the conference’s place in helping to build stronger institutions.
“The African woman in sports cannot begin to inspire change in their respective fields without strong institutions and she ought to be part of the building of these institutions,” Samira Bawumia said, lauding organisers behind the initiative, which has habitually assembled leading African women in sports in critical conversations including navigating the industry as a woman.
The Second Lady also celebrated female leaders within Ghana sports, including Ghana Football Association executive council member Habiba Attah, Farida Iddrisu, who currently serves as Vice President of the African Swimming Confederation (CANA) Africa Zone 2, as well as other top female sports administrators across Africa, for their pioneering roles in the space over the decades.
“The change that Africa needs is for us women, who are on the frontlines in various fields of endeavour to have a seat at the table and ensure our issues are central to the discussion.
“Therefore, ladies, I encourage you all to take up positions of influence, if an opportunity to serve avails itself, let us use it to help shape policy and influence decisions that affect us. You do not have to look beyond Ghana and the African continent for inspiration.”
She also encouraged ladies present at the event to make the most of opportunities available within the sector, notably positions of influence, as this is important in shaping government policy relative to women and sports.
“The African woman seeking to play a leading role in the structural reforms and administration of sports should take inspiration from these outstanding women.
“In order to do so effectively, we must widen our horizons in knowledge and the acquisition of valuable skills that can make us globally competitive.
“This means we have to learn to be diligent and thorough in every aspect of our lives. We need to be able to identify opportunities available to us. We have to learn to identify the qualities we need to become better. Our world is a competitive one, and in order to stay ahead, we must permanently strive to be the best we can be.”
The Africa Women’s Sports Summit seeks to present a platform for mentorship, training and greater female inclusion in the African sports scene.
Started in 2019 by Ghanaian Sportscaster Juliet Bawuah, it is an enabler of initiatives that go a long way to help African women in sports attain their personal, community and career goals.
Speakers were Barbara Gonzalez, CEO, Simba Sports Club (Tanzania), Thato Moeng, SuperSport (South Africa) and Naa Odofoley Nortey, a Ghanaian Private Legal Practitioner and CAF Match Commissioner.
The event was held at the Accra International Conference Centre, in Ghana’s capital, Accra on July 27.
The Africa Women’s Sports Summit is a Sportted Limited event.
