Unilever Ghana Foundation has recognised and celebrated eight female graduates at the 16th edition of the Unilever Excellence Awards on Thursday, 26th November 2014 in Tema.

This initiative is in support of Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan goal of empowering 5 million women across the globe by 2020.

The eight award winners were honoured for being adjudged the best female graduates of the 2012 / 2013 academic year by their former tertiary institutions. Each awardee received a customized HP Laptop and assorted Unilever products.

Mr. Andrew Quayson, Chairman of the Foundation who addressed the occasion, stated, “ The Foundation will continue to pursue opportunities to empower women in Ghana. This is because the woman is the centre of the home, the pivot around which the whole family revolves. She has greater influence on the children and plays a major role in educating them. When educated women are given the opportunity to hold leadership positions, they can do wonders. They challenge their male counterparts in discharging their duties effectively.”

He added, 50 years ago when he joined the company, there was only one female junior staff. Today, the Managing Director of Unilever Ghana is Ms. Maidie Arkutu. This clearly shows Unilever’s commitment to women empowerment.

Mr. Gabriel Opoku-Asare, Head of Corporate Affairs, Unilever Ghana Limited, said the company has a deliberate policy of gender diversity which seeks to facilitate a conducive environment to enable women thrive and compete favorably with their male counterparts. He urged the students not to relent on their laurels but pursue excellence with hard work and integrity.

On behalf of the graduates, Ms. Barbara Anuwe Adunah, the best female graduate in Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Coast said, “the recognition has challenged them to strive to attain higher heights in their future endeavours”.

The awardees were Ms. Yeng Saanchi and Ms. Grace Emi-Reynolds from the University of Ghana, Ms. Barbara Anuwe Adunah from University of Cape Coast, Ms. Amina Issifu from Tamale Polytechnic, Ms. Millicent Akoi from Sunyani Polytechnic, Ms. Hannah Acquah from Cape Coast Polytechnic, Ms. Josephine Afekey from Ho Polytechnic and Ms. Joyce Agyemang from Kumasi Polytechnic.

The award winners were later taken on a factory tour to familiarise themselves with the operations of the company.