The climax of the much-anticipated Women’s Choice Awards was a night of honour and celebration of the achievement of elegant and industrious women in the country.

This year’s event marks the 4th edition of the prestigious awards ceremony which was held under the theme “Digitalization - the New Phase of Women Empowerment, the Unstoppable Woman, Breaking the Bias to Advance Inclusive Leadership and Elevation”.

The event, which was held at the lush Labadi Beach Hotel saw the presentation of awards to female personalities and brands in the areas of marketing, finance, community advocacy, entertainment, fashion, and food.

Speaking in a media interview, CEO of Global Ovations and organiser of the event, Mr Gideon Raji acknowledged the immense contributions of women in the development of the country and as such the need to recognise and award such personalities.

“The Women's Choice Awards Africa, a Global Ovations event, aims at inspiring the next generation of women who will be a force of positive change and excellence in the world.

"That is why this year’s edition is under the theme: “Digitalization— the New Phase of Women Empowerment; the Unstoppable Woman, Breaking the Bias to Advance Inclusive Leadership and Elevation.”

"Yes! this is a mouthful. But every word in this theme is noteworthy to the purpose we are running this year. Our commitment is to continue the cause of empowering women in every good way possible. We do not see women's empowerment as a celebration, but as a movement – an everyday operation channelled at liberating women and girls in Ghana, in Africa, from the mental chains of inferiority and limitation”, Mr Raji said.

He also mentioned the importance of the awards as an encouragement for young girls who have high aspirations. 

Mrs Freda Yahan Duplan, Board Chair for Zenith Bank was honoured for her outstanding leadership in the banking and finance sector over the years.

She joins a host of other awardees which include Antoinette Kwofie – CFO MTN; Actress Jackie Appiah; General Manager - Zenith Bank Maebelle Denya Nortey; Marketing Director - Unilever Nana Yaa Owusu Ansah; Media mogul and community advocate Oheneryere Gifty Anti, Penelope M. Jones Mensah – founder 40 roses foundation. 

Brands like Unilever, Komos Innovation Center, Access Bank were also awarded for their contributions in the development of the Ghanaian woman.

A total of 64 awardees were honoured at the end of the event with several of them expressing their gratitude for the recognition by the organisers of the event, Global Ovation Africa and sponsors.

See below the full list of award winners for the night.

• Excellence in Leadership and Sustainability - Nana Yaa Owusu-Ansah (Marketing Director, Beauty & Personal Care, Unilever Ghana Limited)

• Excellence in FMCG Award - Fatima Ali Mohamed (CEO, African Brand Warrior)

• Excellence in Social Protection - Laurette Korkor Otceere, Esq. (Deputy Director-General of SSNIT)

• Excellence in Corporate Communications Award - Sophia Kudzordji (Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Jospong Group of Companies)

• Events Icon of the Year - Dr Afi Amoro (Chief Executive Officer, Jandel Limited)

• Youth Empowerment Organization of the Year - Kosmos Innovation Centre

• Empowerment of Rural Women - Unilever Songtaa Project

• Ultimate Woman in Leadership Award of the Year, banking - Freda Yahan Duplan (Board Chair - Zenith Bank (Ghana) Limited

• Ultimate Woman in Leadership, health insurance - Maame Afriyie Boachie (CEO, Glico Healthcare)

• Transformational Leader of the Year, banking - Pearl Nkrumah (Executive Director, Retail and Digital Banking, Access Bank Ghana Plc.)

• Media Excellence Award - Oheneyere Gifty Anti (Journalist/ Author)

• Excellence in Event Logistics - Sena Cheri (Proprietor, Cheriel Rentals)

•  Woman-Led Innovative Company of the Year - Sambus Geospatial

•  Women Empowerment Brand of the Year - Sunlight Shero

•  Woman-Led Company of the Year, Sanitation - Africa Environmental Sanitation Consult (AfES Consult)

•  CFO of the Year - Antoinette Kwofie (Chief Finance Officer at MTN Ghana)

• Star with Purpose Award - Jackie Appiah (Actress/Brand Ambassador)

•  Woman of Impact Award - Penelope M. Jones-Mensah Esq. (Founder, 40 Roses Foundation)

•  Excellence in Legal Relations - Joyce A. Bawah Mogtari Esq. (Special Assistant to H.E John Mahama)

•  Excellence in leadership Award, marketing - Patience Oforiwa Mpereh (Marketing Director, Wilmar Africa)

•  Excellence in Diaspora Affairs - Marina Lamptey (Head of the Diaspora Investment Desk, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC))

•  Women’s Choice Brand of the Year – Pepsodent

•  Excellence in Promoting Women Leaders - Jospong Group fo Companies

•  Transformational Leader of the Year, youth empowerment - Benjamin Gyan-Kesse (Executive Director of Kosmos Innovation Center)

•  Transformational Leader of the Year, Finance - Maebelle Denya Nortey (General Manager  – Zenith Bank Ghana Limited)

•  Exemplary Woman in Leadership - Nana Yaa Owusu-Ansah (Marketing Director, Beauty & Personal Care, Unilever Ghana Limited.)

•  Outstanding Creative Director of the Year - Lauren Hanson (CEO, Laurenhaute Couture)

•  Exceptional Woman of the Year - Sharon Acheampong (CEO, Eya Naturals)

•  Media Icon of the Year - Berla Mundi (Media Personality)

•  Woman of Excellence, Film Production - Samira Yakubu (Movie Producer)

•  Women’s Banking Initiative of the Year - Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton (Access Bank Ghana PLC)

•  Ultimate woman of the year, entrepreneurship - Jane Reason Ahadzie (CEO, JRA Cosmetics)

•  Trailblazer in Cosmetology Award - Faustina Adofo Adjagar (CEO of First Choice Hair & Beauty)

•  Voice of Women Award - Akumaa Mama Zimbi (Television and Radio Broadcast Journalist)

•  Brand Communication Personality of the Year, culinary - Eva Njeri (Culinary Category Lead, Promasidor

• The Woman Behind the Scenes Award - AFEAFA NFOJOH (TV Producer/Director)

•  Excellence in Leadership, medical laboratory services - GEORGETTE MARFO PEPRAH (Head of the Diaspora Investment Desk, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)

•  Excellence in Event Management - JANETTE DUAH (Chief Operations Officer and Lead Creative of Jandel Limited)

•  Excellence in Promoting Women Leaders - JOSPONG GROUP OF COMPANIES

•  Man, Empowering Women Award - YOFI GRANT (CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC))

• Excellence in Sanitation Advocacy - DR. ABENA ASOMANING ANTWI (Managing Director and Lecturer – Africa Environmental Sanitation Consult (AfES Consult)

See more photos below.

Winners for voting categories

• Superwoman of the Year - Menaye Donkor

• Woman CEO of the Year - Stacy Amoateng

• Corporate lady of the Year - Belinda Yaa Dankwaa Tinkorang

• Next rated woman of the Year - Rabby Bray

• Her – Abilities - Anne Sena Fordie

• Agency for Change Award - Pink for Africa

• Agent of Change Award - Dr. Hannah-Lisa Tetteh

• Volunteer of the Year Award - Aurelia Sowah-Mensah

• Young Achiever - Yaa Birago

• Media Personality of the Year - Serwaa Amihre

• Discovery of the Year - Princess Fathia

• Fashion Brand of the Year - Mislyn Kreation

• Sports Personality of the Year - Doris boaduwaa

• Beauty Brand of the Year - Susan Chanel Beauty

• Actress of the Year - Nikki Samonas

• Model of the Year - Flower Edem Nukator

• Make-up Artist - Venda Jules

• Hair Stylist of the Year - Strands & Mirrors

• Entrepreneur of the Year - Baaba Ankrah

• Humanitarian of the Year - Rev. Dr. Jennifer Donkor

• Social Media Influencer of the Year - Zubaida Abdel Rahman

• Health Personality of the Year - Dr. Louisa Ansong Satekla

• Woman in the Spotlight - Chichi Yakubu

• Creative champion - Georgina Tandoh