The PETROSOL Women Network hosted the 3rd Women in Leadership Conference on 7 March 2025 to mark International Women's Day, bringing together some 100 women leaders under the theme “Accelerating Exponential and Sustainable Growth: The Role of an Energized Woman.”
At PETROSOL, sustainable growth is driven not only by strategy and investment but by people, and by deliberately creating room for women to lead, influence and shape the future.
In that spirit, the PETROSOL Women Network (PWN) hosted the 3rd Women in Leadership Conference on Friday, 7 March 2025, as part of activities marking International Women's Day. Held under the theme “Accelerating Exponential and Sustainable Growth: The Role of an Energized Woman,” the conference brought together some 100 women: female executives from the petroleum downstream industry and other sectors, alongside women from across PETROSOL.
Now in its third year, the conference has become a platform for honest conversations about leadership, professional development and inclusion in an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated. It has also become a space where women learn from one another, build valuable connections and find the confidence to pursue leadership with purpose.
A Call to Lead with Vision
Opening the conference as Chairperson, PETROSOL Board Chairman Mr. Daniel Acheampong urged participants to help build a world where women are not merely present in organizations but lead them. Leadership, he noted, should not be defined by gender. Yet organizations and societies must intentionally create the conditions that allow women to develop their potential and occupy positions where they can influence outcomes and drive sustainable growth.
Networking as a Catalyst for Growth
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Ivy Apea Owusu, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus Oil Services Ltd, drew on her own journey as a woman leading in the energy sector. Her message was direct: talent alone is not enough.
She encouraged participants to build meaningful relationships intentionally, to surround themselves with people who challenge them to grow, to step outside their comfort zones and to become visible in their professional spaces. Lead with purpose, remain resilient, and position yourself to make an impact.
The Courage to Rise
The Guest of Honour, Dr. Sheila Addo, Deputy Chief Executive, Technical, at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), spoke frankly about the obstacles, biases and expectations women can encounter on the way to leadership. Her counsel: resilience, expertise and a deep understanding of one's field are what sustain women in leadership once they arrive. She challenged participants to dare to be the best at what they do, and to let competence and excellence speak for them.
An Empowering Culture
For PETROSOL Chief Executive Officer Mr. Michael Bozumbil, the conference reflects a culture the company continues to build deliberately: one where women enter the organization knowing their perspectives are valued, feel empowered to express their views and showcase their talents, and have real opportunities to contribute to PETROSOL's growth.
Perspectives from the Panel
A panel discussion brought together leaders who have navigated very different professional environments:
- Dr. Mrs. Stella Agyenim-Boateng, Vice Chairperson of the Public Services Commission and former Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Services at the Volta River Authority (VRA)
- Lawyer Kwame Jantuah, Energy Policy Strategist and Chief Executive Officer of the African Energy Consortium
- Mrs. Lesley Arthur, Chief Executive Officer of Cubica Energy, a bulk import, distribution and export oil trading company
Their discussion ranged across career progression, overcoming professional obstacles and creating transformative change. It kept returning to the same themes: resilience, continuous learning, confidence and the willingness to embrace challenges.
From Inspiration to Action
The 2025 conference pushed beyond inspiration. Participants were challenged to become intentional about their development: to seek mentors and sponsors, build professional networks and position themselves for leadership opportunities. Just as importantly, the conversations emphasized women supporting women: sharing knowledge, opening doors and creating opportunities for others rather than treating leadership as a competition.
That spirit carried into the networking reception that closed the day, where participants exchanged ideas, explored mentorship and partnership opportunities and began the professional relationships that often matter as much as anything said on stage.
The 3rd Women in Leadership Conference ended not with a conclusion but with a renewed commitment. Women are not simply beneficiaries of growth. They are drivers of it. An energized woman, equipped with knowledge, supported by meaningful relationships and confident in her abilities, creates impact that reaches across her career, organization, family and community.
As PETROSOL continues to grow, so does its commitment to ensuring women have a meaningful place in that journey. When women are energized to lead, growth becomes exponential and its impact sustainable.
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