Where Are The Protégés?
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I recently had a conversation with my friend, Christabel Odonkor, a fellow alum of the Emerging Public Leaders of Ghana programme, about great women leaders and the noticeable absence of their female protégés in the public domain. It’s not to say they don’t have mentees at all, but there seems to be inadequate strategic and intentional grooming of young women within their spheres of influence—women they are actively training, nurturing —and equipping to take after them.
Despite Ghana’s progress in women’s leadership, women hold only a small percentage of senior leadership positions, and structured mentorship for young women remains limited.
According to the Ghana Board Diversity Index Report 2024 – 5th Edition, Women now represent 18% of CEOs/MDs, 23% of CFOs, and 27% of COOs. Notably, between 2023 and 2024, the number of women in these roles grew by 6%, 1%, and 14%, respectively. 39% of Ghana-listed companies have 30% or more of their board seats held by women, a 7% increase from 2023.
Additionally, Ghana has witnessed significant progress in women’s leadership, with the current Vice President being a woman and female representation in the government increasing to 23.21%.
Continuity is crucial for any vision, mandate, or fight for change. If something is to outlast a generation, there must be intergenerational involvement to ensure the next generation is ready to carry the torch when one generation moves on. This means that the pioneers—the women who have blazed the trail—must actively pass on their knowledge, values, and influence to younger women so that when the time comes, they can retire confidently, knowing the vision will not die with them. A senior colleague at the West Africa Civil Society Institute, Jimm Chick Formunjong, articulates this idea brilliantly in his Op-Ed titled “4 Critical Ways to Support Women’s Movements in Africa.” He introduces the “Support 1 African Female Youth” agenda, advocating for successful women (aged 36 and above) to teach, mentor, and coach at least one younger female every two years.
I mentioned Nana Aba Anamoah, a Ghanaian journalist and influencer, during my conversation with Christabel. Whether by design or not, we can clearly see her protégés thriving in the same space she occupies—both in mainstream and social media. So, I asked Christabel some questions, and if I may be bold, I’ll ask them here too:
- Where are the female protégés of Georgina Wood (12th Chief Justice of Ghana)?
- Where are the female protégés of Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (Current Vice President of Ghana)?
- Where are the female protégés of Nana Oye Bampoe Addo (Current Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, Ghana )?
- Where are the female protégés of Betty Mould Iddrisu (Lawyer and Former Attorney General of Ghana)?
- Where are the protégés of Hannah Tetteh (Ghanaian barrister and UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Libya)?
These are just a few names we grew up hearing as women making strides in Ghana’s political and developmental space. Again, I am not saying they have no mentees, but they seem missing in the public space.
A good friend and colleague, Aisha Salihu Dukuray— a young Sierra Leonean lady and aspiring leader in the development space—recently had the opportunity to engage with female parliamentarians in Sierra Leone. She posed a similar, bold question to them: “A lot has been said about women’s representation in politics, but one thing seems missing—mentorship.” She urged them to intentionally groom young women, to teach them, guide them, and create opportunities for them. If women already in leadership do this, they will open doors for younger women, making their journey into leadership smoother than their predecessors.
The good news is that there is growing awareness of the need for intergenerational dialogue in feminist spaces. There are even a few structured programmes, like WACSI’s recently concluded Intergenerational Mentorship & Training Programme for Young Femists Leaders in West Africa in collaboration with BAOBAB, Intergenerational Feminist Forum in Nigeria to Promote Gender Equality and Justice in West Africa,in 2022., Furthermore, numerous forums convened by various organisations and women’s groups have fostered discussions on intergenerational feminism and deserve commendation. Notable examples are the forum organised by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) in 2018 and Amnesty International Ghana’s intergenerational Dialogue on the Affirmative Action Bill.
But let’s be honest—these are just a drop in the ocean compared to the need. More organisations, especially women-led organisations and influential women must take up this responsibility. We must ask ourselves:
- How are we securing the future of feminism?
- Beyond ourselves, how are we thinking transgenerationally to ensure that our granddaughters grow up in a world where capable, willing women fight for their rights?
So, Although initiatives like WACSI’s Intergenerational Feminism Programme exist, there is a gap in sector-specific mentorship models that ensure young women transition into leadership roles with sustained support. So, on this year’s women’s month, I make this heartfelt plea to the women we admire in every sphere—government, politics, development, academia, and beyond:
For the sake of tomorrow, continuity, feminism, and gender equity, women in leadership can institutionalise mentorship through structured shadowing programmes, sponsorship initiatives, or formal apprenticeship models within their organisations. Let the world know, “This is a stronger mini-me.” Groom, guide, and empower them to start making strides while you are still active in your space.
Do this so the vision continues, the mandate is fulfilled, and the immense wealth of knowledge you have built is passed on—not lost.
We see you. We believe in you. And we need more from you.
By fostering a culture of visible mentorship, Ghana and Africa at large can create a future where young women are not only empowered behind closed doors but are positioned at the forefront of impactful leadership.
About the author
Deborah Nana Ama Abbey
Deborah Nana Ama Abbey is a development practitioner with expertise in communication, youth empowerment, advocacy and human rights. With a diverse professional background, she has contributed her skills to various national and international organisations. Community engagement lies at the heart of Deborah’s values, as evidenced by her initiative “Every Kid Deserves Christmas,” which brings joy to hundreds of children from underprivileged backgrounds every year. Currently, she serves as a communications assistant, where she plays a pivotal role in driving positive change and development at the West Africa Civil Society Institute.
