More than 50 women leaders and emerging voices gathered in Accra for the 40 Roses Foundation’s flagship International Women’s Day event, “Cocktails and Conversations,” led by its founder, Ms Penelope Mawulolo Jones-Mensah.
A lawyer and women and children’s rights advocate, Ms Jones-Mensah guided discussions on mentorship, leadership, and advancing gender equality, providing a platform for experienced women to inspire the next generation of leaders and change-makers.
Held on March 9, 2026, at Labadi Beach Hotel, the event brought together leading women from business, governance, and civil society alongside young professionals. Under the theme “#GiveToGain: Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” participants explored strategies to promote leadership, equity, and opportunity for women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
A highlight of the evening was a session on the role of men as allies in advancing gender equality. Speakers emphasized that achieving gender equality requires men to move from passive support to active advocacy, challenging structural barriers, championing women’s leadership, and fostering inclusive workplaces. The discussion reinforced that progress is a collective responsibility requiring sustained action from both men and women.
The Special Guest of Honour, Madam Charlotte Osei, delivered remarks on leadership, integrity, and resilience. Spotlight speakers included Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq.), Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service; Elsie Addo Awadzi, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana; Dr. Saajida Shiraz, CEO of the Students Loan Trust Fund; Theresa Ayoade, CEO of Charterhouse Productions; and Anita Bondzie. Speakers shared insights on youth leadership, professional development, innovation, and pathways to empowerment.
The event, powered by Brainwave Africa Tech, in partnership with Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa, and supported by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), also welcomed distinguished participants including Dr. Miriam Rahinatu Iddrisu, Her Ladyship Justice Georgina Mensah-Datsa, and the French and Swiss Ambassadors to Ghana, H.E. Diarra Dimé-Labille and H.E. Simone Giger.
Ms. Jones-Mensah highlighted progress and remaining challenges for women globally, noting that while nearly 97% of girls in Ghana are enrolled in primary school and 78% in secondary school, gaps remain in leadership, economic participation, and decision-making. She commended President John Dramani Mahama for his historic appointment of Ghana’s first female Vice President, Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and for his leadership as an African Union Gender Champion.
A key moment of the evening was the launch of the Executive Commitment Charter, in which attending leaders will pledge to mentor at least one young woman over the coming year—formalizing the Foundation’s commitment to intergenerational mentorship and sustainable impact. Reflecting on the Foundation’s mission, Ms. Jones-Mensah emphasized that connecting accomplished professional women with girls from underprivileged backgrounds creates transformative relationships that inspire growth, confidence, and empower mentees to become future leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
“Progress isn’t just about policy; it’s about the stories we share and the ladders we lean down for those coming after us,” she said.
The evening concluded with networking, experience-sharing, and celebration, capturing the spirit of International Women’s Day 2026: mentorship, leadership, empowerment, and inclusive growth for all women and girls.
