To mark International Women’s Day, Absa Bank’s Women’s Network Forum hosted a unique thought leadership event that celebrated the achievements of women.

It also advanced the conversation on how to invest in women for the development of society.

The event brought together influential voices, including the Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, who emphasised the importance of creating an inclusive environment for women and also investing in their emotional well-being.

“Investing in women is crucial for national development. As we take the necessary steps to make this happen, especially in our workplaces, we should remember that we are dealing with something very deep.

"Thus, in all our endeavours, we should ensure to invest in the emotional well-being of women,” she stated, highlighting a holistic approach to empowerment.

The Board Chair of Absa Bank Ghana, Frances Adu-Mante, who was also in attendance, highlighted the importance of self-investment among women and called for sustained excellence in all endeavours.

“Let’s aim to sustain high levels of excellence in whatever we do and make sure to invest in women if we want a sustainable society,” she urged.

Adolph Kpegah, Interim Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana, outlined the bank’s commitment to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women.

This commitment is reflected in the bank’s efforts to ensure parity in salary, appoint more women to leadership positions, and provide supportive services such as counselling and daycare centres.

“Women led this bank to the Most Profitable Bank status on many occasions over the last decade… we have one of the best performing Business Banking and Corporate Banking businesses across our Group and possibly the fastest growing SME businesses in our market, and these are all led by our women,” Adolph noted, showcasing the significant impact of female leadership within the organisation.

Other speakers at the event, including Dr Ellen Hagan, Founder of L’AINE Services, Munatsi Mkushi, Director of Finance at Absa Bank, and Nuru Mugambi, an expert in Sustainable Finance and Responsible Investment, discussed a range of issues affecting women, from emotional challenges to the need for financial inclusivity and opportunity.

Absa Bank Ghana Limited has recently introduced its new brand promise, “Your Story Matters”, which affirms human-centred empathy that builds partnerships, and seamless customer experiences.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day celebration, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” underscores the critical role women play as drivers of economic growth, agents of change, and catalysts for innovation.

The event, part of a series of initiatives by Absa to support women-led businesses and financial inclusivity, served as a clarion call for broader investment in women’s development.

From the “Young Africa Works” to the “Inspire Me” initiative, Absa’s commitment to empowering women was clear, demonstrating a proactive approach to fostering gender equality and accelerating societal progress.