Ghana, Nigeria insurance ladies association promote cross border capacity building for women

The Chartered Insurance Ladies Association Ghana (CILAG), in collaboration with the Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA), successfully held its 2026 Educational Conference in Accra, Ghana.

The conference brought together insurance professionals, industry leaders, and key stakeholders from Ghana and Nigeria to deliberate on strategies for empowering women and advancing the insurance industry across the region.

The conference commenced with an opening ceremony during which the President of CILAG and the County host, Ms. Nicholina Naa Yeye Adumuah, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, capacity building, and the intentional development of women within the insurance sector.

Participants reaffirmed the critical role of insurance in economic development and the need to align industry practices with global standards, including gender equality and institutional strengthening. She emphasize the need for intentionality and consistency with self-development, involvement in dialogues and engagement that promotes professional growth.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in keynote presentations, technical sessions, and panel discussions focusing on leadership development, mentorship, innovation, and cross-border collaboration. A keynote address by Mrs Mary Asare Yeboah,President of the Institute of Directors Ghana, highlighted the importance of deliberate leadership development and governance in advancing women’s roles in the industry.

Deliberations during the conference underscored the importance of empowering women through mentorship, sponsorship, and continuous professional development. Participants emphasized the need for women to build capacity, enhance visibility in the workplace, and develop emotional intelligence to effectively navigate professional environments. The conference also highlighted the value of collaboration over competition and the importance of shared growth in building a lasting leadership legacy.

Discussions further explored the role of innovation and technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence, in improving efficiency and supporting work-life balance. Participants also examined the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a platform for expanding insurance services across borders and promoting inclusive economic growth.

The conference also addressed the importance of holistic development, with sessions focusing on health, wellness, and work-life balance. Participants emphasized the need for supportive workplace policies and strong personal support systems to enable women to thrive both professionally and personally.

Resolutions and Key Recommendations:
1. Organizations should implement deliberate policies to ensure equal opportunities for women, including inclusive succession planning.

2. Insurance professionals should engage secondary schools to promote early interest in the industry.

3. Female professionals are encouraged to mentor and sponsor at least one other woman within a defined period.

4. Women should pursue continuous professional development, mentorship, and coaching.

5. Women should enhance communication skills and build strong professional networks.

6. Greater emphasis should be placed on collaboration through webinars and seminars to build capacity innovation, and shared success within the industry.

7. Women are encouraged to embrace technology, including AI, to improve efficiency and productivity.

8. Stakeholders should leverage the AfCFTA opportunities to drive cross-border growth and inclusion.

9. Women should prioritize their health, physical and mental well-being, including regular health checks.

10. There is a need to intentionally nurture younger generations of women for future leadership roles.

In conclusion, participants reaffirmed their commitment to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative insurance industry that empowers women and builds sustainable legacies for future generations.

The conference ended on a high note with renewed commitment among participants to implement the strategies discussed any strengthen partnerships across borders.