In line with its strategy to empower women at all levels of the socio-economic strata to accelerate national development, the Unilever Ghana Foundation (UGF) has recognised and celebrated 16 female graduates at its Excellence Awards held on Thursday, 29th September 2011. The impressive ceremony took place at Unilever Ghana’s Learning Centre.The 16 award winners were honoured for being adjudged the best female graduates of the 2009 / 2010 academic year by their former tertiary institutions. The institutions are made up of the ten public polytechnics and five public universities. .Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Andrew Evans Quayson, Chairman of UGF, stated that “the Foundation will continue to look out for the demonstration of excellence, especially those that are not in the full glare of society and to acknowledge such excellence publicly as a means of encouraging its pursuance as a way of life rather than an act to be performed every now and then”.The best female graduates each received a customised palm-top computer, a customised plaque and an assortment of Unilever products, all valued at GHC 795.00(Euros420.00) They were also taken on a tour of the factory to acquaint themselves with the operations of their benefactor.The award winners included a clinical Microbiologist, a Human biologist, an Electrical Engineer, a Fashion Designer, a Procurer and a Nutritionist.On behalf of the graduates, Miss Pearl Odartey–Edwards, the best female graduate in Economics from the University of Ghana commended the Foundation for recognising their efforts. She said the recognition has challenged them to strive to attain higher heights in their future endeavours. Family members of the award winners who attended the ceremony also expressed their gratitude to the Foundation for the thoughtful and inspiring act.