BY Grace Zigah
Former Second Lady of Ghana, Hajia Samira Bawumia, continues to assert her role as a leading advocate for women’s empowerment in West Africa, with a dual engagement in education and policy dialogue the past week.
While on a visit to Conakry, Guinea, Bawumia made a stop at the Karen Pritzker Academy of Arts and Fashion, an institution known for its focus on providing vocational training and mentorship to underprivileged young girls across the region.
There, she spent time mentoring students, sharing her personal journey, and encouraging them to pursue their dreams with boldness and perseverance.
“Your background should not define your future,” she told the enthusiastic young learners. “With hard work, vision, and resilience, you can rise above any circumstance.”
In a move to institutionalize her support for excellence among young women, Ms. Bawumia also unveiled a new initiative—the Samira Bawumia Award for Best Performing Student.
The award, she explained, is meant to recognize and reward exceptional talent and academic dedication among students of the Academy, with the aim of motivating them to achieve higher standards.
The former Second Lady’s visit to Guinea was part of her broader mission to promote gender inclusivity across sectors traditionally dominated by men.
As part of her tour, she delivered the keynote address at the Women in Mining Summit 2025, hosted by WIMGuinée, where she spoke on the theme “Promoting Better Involvement of Women in the Mining Sector in Guinea.”
Mrs. Bawumia highlighted the crucial role women can and should play in the mining industry, a sector that remains one of the main economic drivers across West Africa but is still largely male-dominated.
She advocated for inclusive policies, investment in technical training for women, and greater representation of women in decision-making within the mining value chain.
“Empowering women in mining is not just a matter of fairness; it is an economic necessity,” she said.
“The future of mining in Africa must be one that reflects the strength, skill, and leadership of its women.”
Her remarks were met with resounding applause from industry leaders, policymakers, and civil society advocates present at the summit.
Mrs. Bawumia’s engagements in Guinea reflect her ongoing work through the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), a foundation she established to improve health, education, and economic opportunities for women and youth in Ghana and beyond.
From classrooms to conference halls, Samira Bawumia continues to leverage her platform to inspire, empower, and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable society across Africa.
