FBNBank Ghana has hosted a special International Women’s Day event to celebrate and empower women, reaffirm its mission to champion gender equality, and eliminate the biases that undermine the progress of women.

This event was undertaken by the Bank as part of its celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD 2024) under the theme “Inspire Inclusion,” which highlights women’s participation in society.

Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Chairperson of the FBNBank Women’s Network, the Head of Human Capital Management and Development of the Bank, Naa Adokailey Amofa, said, “International Women’s Day is a day to honour and recognise the incredible achievements and contributions of women around the world. At FBNBank, we firmly believe in the power of diversity and inclusion. We recognise the invaluable role that women play in driving our organisation forward, and we are committed to creating an environment where every woman can thrive and reach her potential. Let us take this opportunity to support and empower women in all aspects of our lives, both within our organisation and in the broader community.”

Speaking on the topic, “Making Unconscious Biases," Mrs. Boahemaa Ntim, Chief Executive Officer of Nutri Health Food and Beverages, advised the female employees of the Bank to have the power to challenge and overcome unconscious biases by fostering self-awareness, resilience, and advocacy. She also charged the women to reflect on their own beliefs, assumptions, and attitudes towards gender, cultivate a sense of confidence in their interactions and endeavours, and above all, build strong support networks of like-minded individuals who can share one’s commitment to gender equality.”

The second speaker, Thyra Opoku-Agyemang, the Managing Director of Yinson Productions, spoke on the topic “Inclusion and Recognising the Role of Women." Naa shared some life experiences with the audience and stressed “that inclusion goes beyond mere representation, it is about creating environments where individuals, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or background, must be fully empowered to participate and contribute their quota. Women have a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead by example and champion inclusion in every aspect of our lives."

Making some remarks to the gathering, the Managing Director of FBNBank, Victor Yaw Asante stated that, “As HeForShe advocates, let us continue to champion the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within our organisation and beyond. Together, we can build a more inclusive world where everyone, regardless of gender, can contribute their talents, pursue their aspirations, and live with dignity and respect. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the FBNBank Women Network for organising a tremendously successful International Women's Day celebration. The dedication, passion and hard work exhibited by each member of the network have truly made this event memorable and impactful."

The ladies were also encouraged by Mrs. Omolade Olawore, Group Compliance Officer of FirstBank Nigeria, who used the Bank’s values, Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, Innovation, and Customer Centricity (EPIC) as a standard for the ladies to deliver the bank's key principles. “As we honour International Women's Day today, let us recognise the value of inclusivity, encourage open exchange of views, and serve as role models for the next generation of leaders. Together, let us create a more empowered future for all”, she added.

The activities under the event’s programme were rounded up with remarks from a female Non-Executive Director of FBNBank, Ms. Rosie Ebe-Arthur, who urged the ladies to position themselves favourably to be able to move on in their careers. She advised those up the corporate ladder to be willing to help the ladies in the lower rungs climb up.