SHIMEI Star Awards 2026 honours leaders advancing women’s empowerment

As part of activities marking International Women’s Day 2026, SHIMEI Solutions, hosted its 7th edition of the INCLUDEHer conference (IHC) alongside the 2nd SHIMEI Star Influential Awards at the Silverbird Cinemas, Accra Mall under the theme Include Her: Her Rights. Her Voice. Our Action. Driving Inclusion and Equity Through Cultural Diplomacy, Media and the Social Environment.

The conference brought together speakers from diverse sectors who shared insights on empowerment, leadership, mental wellbeing and the importance of representation.

The event was held in collaboration with Global Media Alliance, the International Relations and Diplomacy Network Ghana (IRDNGhana) and Silverbird Cinemas Ghana converging leaders, advocates and professionals committed to advancing women’s empowerment.

Delivering the keynote address, political economist, convener of the International Relations and Diplomacy Network Ghana and Professor of International Relations at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Lord Mawuko-Yevugah, called for greater attention to structural barriers affecting girls’ education.

He noted that while initiatives such as the Free Senior High School Policy have expanded access to education, challenges such as inadequate sanitary facilities in some schools continue to affect female students.

Speaking about the awards, founder of the SHIMEI Star Influential Awards and convener of the INCLUDEHer conference Samantha Wuta-Ofei (LadySam), said the initiative was created to celebrate individuals who are making meaningful contributions to society while supporting women to thrive.

“The SHIMEI Star Influential Awards goes beyond recognition. It celebrates leaders who are using their platforms to uplift others, especially women and young girls. Our goal is to continue creating a space where excellence, leadership and empowerment are recognised and encouraged,” Samantha said.

She reiterated that the awards recognise individuals and organisations making significant contributions to leadership, business, media, and community development while actively promoting gender equality.

Mr Ernest Boateng, CEO of Global Media Alliance in his remarks noted that as a media organization, partnering the INCLUDEHer conference and SHIMEI Star Influential Awards is to help bring visibility to women in leadership , women who are driving change and innovation and women shaping conversations.

He further mentioned that it validates the contributions of women and also allows the younger generations to aspire to do same for the next generation.

Among the highlights of the day, Salomé Azevedo, Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana, was named SHIMEI Woman of the Year 2026, while sustainability advocate Nabeela Abubakari received the SHIMEI Sustainability Award 2026.

Public relations professional and founder of Women in PR Ghana Faith Ocloo, was honoured as SHIMEI PR Professional of the Year 2026 and Edith Dankwa, Chief Executive Officer of Business and Financial Times, received the SHIMEI Executive Leader of the Year Award 2026.

Actress Juliet Ibrahim received a Special Recognition Award for her contributions to the movie industry over the past two decades.

Male awardees included Bola Ray, who was named Man of the Year 2026 for his role in supporting and empowering women through media and business initiatives and Ameyaw Debrah, who received the Influencer Pop Culture Content Curator of the Year Award.

The Kingsley Appiagyei Foundation received the SHIMEI Community Leader Award 2026 while Eunice Dede Tornyi of Global Media Alliance , president of the International Relations and Diplomacy Network and host of the African Women’s Voices Show was the event’s master of ceremony and co- organizer.

The INCLUDEHer conference and SHIMEI Star Influential Awards is an annual Ghanaian International Women’s Day conference which brings speakers from diverse sectors to share insights on empowerment, leadership, mental wellbeing and the importance of representation alongside an awards program that honours individuals and organizations that champion gender equality and women empowerment.