Accra, Ghana//- Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) today held a programme dubbed “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.
The event attended by women executives, young ladies and students was also used to advocate for the rights, equality, and empowerment of all women and girls.
The ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ initiative is a powerful collaboration between the IFC, the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, the UN Global Compact, UN Women, the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), and the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). This global movement highlights the urgent need for gender equality in business, finance, and society.
In her welcome address, the Managing Director of Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), Madam Abena Amoah said: “Today, as we ring the bell for gender equality, we do more than mark a moment – we amplify a powerful message. A message that must be heard in workplaces, boardrooms, and communities alike”.
This year’s theme “Ring the Bell for ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, according to her is a message that affirms, without question, that the rights, equality, and empowerment of women and girls are not just ideals, they are non-negotiable necessities.
However, Madam Amoah indicated that as of today, millions of women still face significant legal and economic barriers.
Also, according to the World Bank, women worldwide have access to only 77% of the legal rights that men do, and nearly 2.4 billion women of working age live in economies that do not grant them the same rights as men.
“We hear the devastating stories out of the United States of America, of companies ditching their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. This is a major obstacle to progress”, she stated.
“Gender equality is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right and an economic necessity. We must push for policies that guarantee equal opportunities, dismantle systemic barriers, and create spaces where women can lead, innovate, and thrive. When women are empowered, businesses grow, economies strengthen, and communities flourish”.
At the Ghana Stock Exchange, gender equality is not just a goal, it is a commitment to action. The GSE Council (our Board) are proud to lead by example and show a powerful image of what is possible with the rest of the world, she said.
The GSE Madam mentioned that the Chairperson of the GSE, its Vice-Chairperson, and the Managing Director are all women.
She also added that the GSE has 44% of its Council members being females, 55% of its Management Team and 50% of its Executive Team are women.
The Men on the GSE Council are a shining example of rights, equality and empowerment, the MD lauded.
“We are setting the standard for gender diversity and inclusion within our organization, demonstrating that when women also lead, industries thrive. By fostering an inclusive environment, we hope to inspire our listed companies and all to follow suit, because a more inclusive market is a stronger market”.
She also added that the GSE has 44% of its Council members being females, 55% of its Management Team and 50% of its Executive Team are women.
The Men on the GSE Council are a shining example of rights, equality and empowerment, the MD lauded.
“We are setting the standard for gender diversity and inclusion within our organization, demonstrating that when women also lead, industries thrive. By fostering an inclusive environment, we hope to inspire our listed companies and all to follow suit, because a more inclusive market is a stronger market”.
The CEO of Laine HR and Co-Founder of Legacy Girls College, Dr Mrs Ellen Hagan who delivered the keynote address encouraged women to support each other to succeed in business and every endeavour that themselves.
In a goodwill message, the IFC Senior Country Officer for Ghana, Madam Cemile Hacibeyglu urged the women to take concrete actions within their spheres of influence to advance gender equality.
Whether it is through policy advocacy, corporate initiatives, or community engagement, every effort counts, she stated.
“Let us remember that the journey towards gender equality is a collective one. By working together, we can create a world where every woman and girl can realize her full potential”.
In another goodwill message, the Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, Tolu Kweku Lacroix observed that Ghana had made strides in women’s leadership yet the challenges remain.
In his own words: “Despite progress, gender disparities persist in Ghana. Women still face barriers to accessing leadership positions, financial inclusion, and economic opportunities. Only 12% of CEOs in listed companies are women, and while 25% of board seats are held by women, this remains below the global push for gender parity.
Additionally, the gender pay gap continues to disadvantage women, and women entrepreneurs face greater challenges in securing investment and capital. If we are to bridge these gaps, we must act decisively”.
