Across Ghana and beyond, countless personal success stories are quietly shaped by the strength, sacrifice and mentorship of women.
Their contributions often go uncelebrated, yet their influence is profound — guiding young people, opening doors of opportunity and inspiring confidence where doubt once existed.
For many, the journey toward purpose and professional fulfilment begins with the encouragement of a powerful woman who saw potential before anyone else did.
My story
My own story reflects the power of women who uplift others. I consider myself a product of powerful women whose sacrifices, guidance and belief in me helped shape my journey.
Among them is businesswoman and events industry leader Afi Amoro, whose influence on my life began unexpectedly.
After completing my national service and still searching for work, I attended a birthday party hosted by my friend Janette Zigah, Auntie Afi’s daughter.
The following day, Auntie Afi asked about me and learned I had graduated with a first-class degree but was unemployed. She asked Janette to call me.
During our brief conversation, she asked a life-changing question: could I start work the next day?
That call led me to Jandel Limited, where, despite having no experience, I was given opportunities that shaped my professional growth.
Transformation
The experience proved transformative. For me, it was not simply about learning a new profession. It was about witnessing leadership in action.
Auntie Afi’s vision for the company, her insistence on excellence and her ability to defend ideas and budgets with remarkable confidence left a lasting impression on me.
But perhaps more importantly, her mentorship extended far beyond the workplace.
There were countless occasions when I sent her proposals, pitch decks and draft emails for review.
Instead of simply approving them, she would call me into her office and tell me I could do better.
Those moments were not discouraging; they were intentional.
They were reminders that growth requires effort, discipline and a refusal to settle for mediocrity.
Her investment in my development also meant giving me exposure to spaces I might otherwise never have entered.
Sometimes she asked me to accompany her to meetings where my presence was not even required, simply so I could observe and learn.
On other occasions, she coached me ahead of presentations, preparing me to confidently pitch ideas to the heads of major companies in the country.
Those experiences instilled in me a level of discipline and confidence that would later shape my professional journey.
Even when I eventually left Jandel to pursue legal studies, the mentorship did not end.
Auntie Afi remained a constant presence — sharing opportunities, sending me materials aligned with my interests and checking in regularly to ensure that I stayed focused on my goals.
Her encouragement also extended to personal milestones. Together with her daughter, Janette Zigah, and another incredible woman in my life, Dela Mahama, she celebrated with me when I achieved one of the most significant accomplishments of my life — being called to the bar.
Powerful truth
Moments like that reinforced a simple but powerful truth for me: empowerment is not a one-time act.
It is a continuous investment in someone’s growth and future.
My story is only one example of a much broader reality.
Across our country, women are shaping lives every day through mentorship, opportunity and unwavering belief in others.
They open doors, challenge us to aim higher and remind us that our potential is far greater than we sometimes imagine.
When women invest in people, they do more than provide opportunities.
They cultivate potential, build confidence and inspire others to reach heights they may never have thought possible.
Many of us who benefit from such mentorship eventually carry those lessons forward, becoming mentors ourselves and extending the same support to others.
This ripple effect demonstrates why empowering women matters not only for individuals but for society as a whole.
Women who uplift others become catalysts for progress, shaping lives and strengthening communities in ways that cannot easily be measured.
As I reflect on the journey that has brought me this far, one thing remains clear: I have never walked this path alone.
It has been guided by women who believed in me, challenged me and stood firmly behind my aspirations.
And in doing so, they embodied a truth that resonates far beyond my own story.
The writer is a lawyer, Intellectual Property Rights Advocate and Arbitrator and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (CIARB) & New York Branches
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh