The African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) has hosted the 2025 edition of its HeforShe Summit under the theme “Redefining Masculinity: Men as Catalysts for Women’s Development.”
The summit, held in Accra, brought together policymakers, business leaders, civil society actors, and youth representatives to advance dialogue on the role of men in promoting gender equality and supporting women in leadership.
Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, commended AWLO for creating a platform that engages men in reshaping social norms. “This conversation is timely and necessary,” she said. “Men must see themselves not as competitors but as partners in development.”
AWLO Global President, Dr. Elisha Attai, highlighted the organisation’s mission of building sustainable leadership for African women across borders. “Since our founding in 2009, AWLO has championed opportunities for women while engaging men as allies,” he stated. “True gender equality requires partnership between men and women.”
Chair of the Ghana Domain Registry and CEO of Tin-Ita Group, Rev. Dr. Nanayaa Tina Owusu-Prempeh, stressed the need for breaking stereotypes around masculinity. “We must dismantle outdated perceptions,” she said. “Redefining masculinity is essential for a balanced society.”
Founded in Lagos, Nigeria, AWLO has grown into a leading pan-African network with chapters and youth councils across over a dozen countries, including Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Cameroon. The organisation also has a presence in the United States and is expanding into the United Kingdom.
Through its programmes, AWLO continues to foster capacity building, networking, and advocacy for women leaders, while urging men to play a proactive role in creating an equitable future.