Australia, NewsWire Africa push women’s leadership through new Accra initiative

The Australian High Commission in Ghana and NewsWire Africa have launched a new initiative aimed at expanding mentorship, leadership access and professional networks for women across Africa.

The NewsWire Africa Women’s Impact Circle (NWAWIC) was officially launched in Accra ahead of International Women’s Day 2026, bringing together diplomats, policymakers, industry leaders and emerging professionals for a conversation on women’s leadership and access to opportunity.

Speaking at the launch, Australian High Commissioner to Ghana H.E. Berenice Owen-Jones emphasised the need for structural approaches to gender equality.

“Talent is not the issue. Access is,” she said, noting that mentorship and structured support systems are critical to helping women advance into leadership positions. 

The initiative forms part of broader collaboration between the Australian High Commission and NewsWire Africa on leadership and media capacity programmes, including the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship, which trains journalists to report on the mining and natural resources sector.

The High Commissioner also highlighted Australia’s broader commitment to gender equality, noting that women now make up 49.6 per cent of Australia’s federal parliament, while gender balance targets for Australian Government boards have been achieved for four consecutive years. 

The NWAWIC initiative will connect senior women leaders with emerging professionals across sectors including media, diplomacy, finance, STEM, extractives and policy.

Organisers say the initiative will operate through seven programmes including mentorship salons, leadership masterclasses, industry networking sessions and an annual Women’s Impact Summit.

The launch also convened a panel discussion on the theme “The Power of Access: What Must Be Given for Women to Lead Africa’s Future,” with a call on women to join the Impact Circle by visiting www.nwawic.org