Fisheries Minister urges young women leaders to harness resilience and purpose-driven leadership

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mrs Emelia Arthur, has urged young women in tertiary institutions across Ghana to cultivate resilience, discipline, and purpose-driven leadership as essential foundations for public service and national development.

She made the call when she engaged nine young women leaders from universities across Ghana during a mentorship session to empower them in leadership.

“Leadership requires patience, simplicity, and discipline,” she said.

She cautioned participants against frivolous spending and stated the value of modest living as a cornerstone of credible public leadership.

The Minister encouraged the participants to identify and build on their individual strengths, and to avoid making unfavourable comparisons with peers.

She advised them to conduct personal SWOT analyses to assess their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as a practical tool for understanding and expanding their leadership potential.

She recounted her early leadership roles in school and described her journey as a testament to the rewards of perseverance and consistent service.

Madam Arthur also addressed the challenge of imposter syndrome, urging the young women to remain grounded in their values, build self-confidence, and sustain strong faith.

The Minister drew attention to the significant economic potential within Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, describing fish as “gold” and one of the country’s most underutilised resources.

She pledged the Ministry’s support, including seed funding, for innovative business ideas developed along the fisheries value chain.

Participants expressed appreciation for the engagement, describing the Minister’s insights as both practical and deeply motivating.

The NUGS delegation formally invited the Minister to the upcoming National Young Women Leaders’ Summit on June 19, 2026, and the launch of the NUGS Women’s Podcast.

The session forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between NUGS and the Ministry in support of female leadership development.