Ghanaian Financial Analyst, Lisa Opoku Busumbru has been named one of Black Enterprise’s 75 Most Powerful Women in Business. A recent publication of the US-based Black Enterprise magazine placed Lisa alongside other influential women like Oprah Winfrey. The selection is based on the responsibility of women senior corporate executives in developing product lines, positioning brands, generating revenues and with profit and loss oversight at the highest levels. In an exclusive interview with Luv FM’s Kofi Adu Domfeh in Kumasi, Mrs. Lisa Opoku, who manages the day-to-day activities of a global financial services giant, noted that women have to work very hard to be as prominent as men. She observed that “sometimes men are put in leadership positions by their fathers, or by just experience and for us sometimes it’s much more difficult”. The financial analyst says the first step for young entrepreneurs to reach greater heights in their chosen careers is to build a strong reputation. “Business is all about reputation, so the first and most important thing is knowing and understanding that honesty, integrity, good ethics and hard work are the building blocks of your reputation. And I will encourage them to invest in themselves, whether it’s in education or networking” noted Mrs. Lisa Opoku. She added that it is critically important for women in business to be self-critical in the way they speak to people and how they represent their brands. Mrs. Opoku Busumbru is excited young Ghanaian women executives are taking over the mantle of leadership and encouraged women in high positions to inspire others to succeed. She recommended women to “network and stand out and be proud of who you are and what you are doing. You take the time to empower young women… I think it’s important for our gender that we stand out and speak for ourselves”. Lisa plans to relocate to Ghana soon. Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh/Luv FM/Ghana