Investing in Women, Energizing the Future: The 2024 Women in Leadership Conference

PETROSOL's Women Network hosted the 2024 Women in Leadership Conference at AH Hotel, East Legon on 8 March 2024, marking International Women's Day under the theme “Investing in Women; Energizing for the Future” and honouring 10 outstanding female employees.

In keeping with its commitment to developing people, promoting inclusive leadership and creating opportunities for women to thrive, PETROSOL hosted its 2024 Women in Leadership Conference on Friday, 8 March 2024, in commemoration of International Women's Day.

Organized under the auspices of the PETROSOL Women Network (PWN), the conference was held at AH Hotel in East Legon, Accra, under the theme “Investing in Women; Energizing for the Future.” It brought together female professionals, senior business executives and leaders from the energy and other sectors for a day of meaningful conversations, knowledge-sharing, mentorship and networking.

The PWN was established to strengthen the leadership capabilities of PETROSOL's female employees while supporting them to navigate the demands of successful careers, family responsibilities and personal development. The 2024 conference put that mission on full display.

A Call to Invest in Women

The conference centered on a fundamental message: investing in women is an investment in the future. For a company operating in the traditionally male-dominated energy sector, that means deliberately creating pathways for women to grow, lead and contribute meaningfully.

The Guest of Honour, Mrs. Linda Boamah Asante, Deputy Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), commended PETROSOL for its investment in the development and empowerment of women. Drawing from her own professional journey, she encouraged women to take advantage of professional networks and mentorship, to accept challenging assignments, to remain resilient and to find ways of balancing professional responsibilities with family life. She also challenged women to be more dynamic and assertive across all sectors, and called on stakeholders to take collective responsibility for advancing gender parity.

Celebrating Women at PETROSOL

At the time of the conference, women accounted for approximately 46 percent of PETROSOL's workforce, a notable representation within the energy sector. The Chairperson of the occasion, Dr. Mrs. Stella Agyenim-Boateng, Vice Chairperson of the Public Services Commission and former Deputy Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority, commended PETROSOL for that level of female representation and encouraged the company to work towards 50 percent or higher.

Drawing on her experience in the telecommunications and energy sectors, Dr. Agyenim-Boateng emphasized diligence, tenacity, humility and the support of family in building a successful career. Her message was clear: women must not allow challenges or circumstances to become excuses for mediocrity. They must strive for excellence, because organizational growth depends on the productivity and commitment of every individual.

Lessons from the Panel

A panel discussion gave participants the chance to hear directly from accomplished professionals who have navigated different stages of leadership:

• Dr. Gillian Hammah, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Databank Group and Founder of Fairbanks Consulting
• Mrs. Fatoumata Doro, Managing Director of Tex Styles Ghana Limited
• Mr. Israel Laryea, Executive Head of Influencer Africa and renowned broadcast journalist

Their experiences offered practical insights into leadership, career development and the realities women encounter on the way to senior positions. The conversations reinforced the value of strong professional networks, mentorship, continuous skill development and resilience, and portrayed leadership not as a destination but as an ongoing journey that requires courage, competence, adaptability and the willingness to learn.

Balancing Career and Family

An important dimension of the conference was the honest conversation about balancing professional ambitions with family responsibilities. For many women, professional demands exist alongside roles as mothers, wives, daughters, caregivers and community members. The conference created room for those realities, encouraging participants to build support systems, seek mentorship and speak openly about the challenges they face rather than navigating them alone.

Honouring Outstanding Women

PETROSOL Chief Executive Officer Mr. Michael Bozumbil used the occasion to express his appreciation for the significant contribution of the company's female employees to its growth, and the recognition went beyond words: 10 female employees were honoured for outstanding performance and contribution to the company.

Among them, Mrs. Lawrencia Himans, Chief Finance Officer of PETROSOL, received the CEO's Special Award for Outstanding Female Leadership in recognition of her exceptional leadership and contribution to the company's financial performance. The awards reinforced an important message: leadership exists at every level of an organization, and excellence deserves recognition wherever it is demonstrated.

Energizing the Future

The 2024 conference was more than an International Women's Day celebration. It strengthened connections among women within PETROSOL, exposed participants to leaders from the petroleum, finance, business, communications and public sectors, and reinforced the idea that women can actively seek opportunities, build relationships and position themselves for leadership rather than waiting for opportunities to be created for them.

The initiative has since evolved into an annual platform for conversations around women's leadership, inclusion and professional growth, continuing into its third consecutive year in 2025. By investing in its female workforce, PETROSOL is investing in the people who will shape the company's future: a culture where women can continuously learn, grow, lead and make an impact.