Elevate women beyond HR – BoG Deputy Governor
The Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Matilda Asante-Asiedu, has urged corporate Ghana to deliberately elevate women into leadership roles that influence culture, shape long-term strategy and drive innovation, stressing that inclusion must go beyond token representation.
Speaking at the 11th Women in HR Conference organised by the Ghana Employers’ Association in Accra, Mrs Asante-Asiedu noted that although women have excelled in Human Resources, Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, their contributions must extend into boardrooms and executive spaces where critical business decisions are made.
“Women are not just nurturers of people; we are architects of vision, of strategy and of transformation. Elevating women beyond HR is not about charity or tokenism, it is about competitiveness and survival in a fast-changing world,” she noted.
Breaking Traditional Barriers
Drawing from her own professional journey, from journalism into banking, the Deputy Governor explained how bold risks, continuous learning and resilience enabled her to spearhead initiatives that reshaped retail banking, promoted women’s banking and advanced digital inclusion in Ghana.
Her story, she said, demonstrates why women must be supported to move beyond traditional career boxes.
Mrs Asante-Asiedu outlined three pillars where women’s leadership can transform organisations: as culture architects who build trust, accountability and inclusive workplaces that boost performance; as strategic leaders who drive purpose-led strategies that balance profitability with sustainability; and as innovators who design solutions that meet human needs with inclusivity at the core.
She cited global figures such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organisation and Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, alongside Ghanaian leaders like Patricia Obo-Nai, CEO of Telecel Ghana, as examples of women who have made far-reaching impact at the highest levels of leadership.
A Business Case for Inclusion
Reinforcing her argument with evidence, Mrs Asante-Asiedu pointed to studies from McKinsey, Deloitte and Harvard Business Review which show that companies with more women in executive roles record stronger profitability, greater innovation and higher levels of trust.
“Beyond economics, women channel a greater share of their earnings into families and communities,” she stressed, underscoring the multiplier effect of female leadership on social and national development.
The therefore called on corporate boards to move from symbolic gestures to intentional appointments, ensuring women play active roles on audit, risk, finance and innovation committees.
Mrs Asante-Asiedu urged companies to transition from simple mentorship programmes to active sponsorship of female talent, creating pathways to senior management.
Policy Alignment
Mrs Asante-Asiedu further linked her call to Ghana’s Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, which mandates progressive female leadership targets: 30 per cent by 2026, 35 per cent by 2028 and 50 per cent by 2030, in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
“When women rise, men do not fall. Instead, everyone rises together,” she concluded, stressing that inclusivity is not just a social good but a national economic imperative.
A Platform for Transformation
The Women in HR Conference, now in its 11th year, has grown into a flagship platform for empowering female professionals across the country.
It serves as a space for exchanging ideas, sharpening leadership skills and reinforcing women’s role in driving national productivity and competitiveness.
