When I founded Leading Ladies’ Network (LLN) in April of 2009, it was truly a leap of faith. I was driven by a simple conviction that African women can, should and must lead, coupled with a belief that advancing the cause of women's leadership is worth my life's commitment. In three short years, I look back with gratitude, noting that LLN is quickly blazing a trail in women’s leadership development in Ghana. Looking ahead, I am mindful that there is still much more work ahead of us. Our work threatens a deep-seated and often unconscious perception that women cannot or should not be leaders. Yet, women across Africa remain sorely under-represented, especially in the fields of business and politics. As I write this, women occupy less than nine percent of seats in Ghana’s Parliament. Though the statistics paint a grim picture, I am convinced that the work of LLN can contribute towards an Africa where women are normalized as leaders. Through Leading Ladies’ Network, my vision is to inspire and train a new breed of socially-conscious female leaders that will influence society for good.

I want to see an Africa where women are normalized as leaders while promoting healthier gender relationships, stronger families, communities, and a more just society for all. Women's leadership will not happen in a vacuum. We must be deliberate in our efforts to empower women and girls to become compassionate and ethical servant leaders. It is the only way we can plant the seeds of change that will cause the voices of African women to be heard at every leadership table. Now is the time for Africa to be deliberate about preparing girls and young women to fill our future leadership pipeline. The more African women leaders emerge, the more they can inspire other women and the more they can leverage their own success to improve the circumstances of others.

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