The inaugural United States-African Leaders international summit hosted by the US President, Barack Obama in Washington DC ended pleasingly with leaders from fifty African states in attendance to discuss the trade and investment opportunities with the United States as well as collaboration on security of the continent. The historical summit followed President Obama’s announcement to “host a summit of leaders from countries across Africa” whilst on a three nation tour of Africa in 2013 and affirmed association with the continent at the White House state dinner where award-winning singer, Lionel Richie entertained the audience during the evening of glamour on the South Lawn.
“I stand before you as the president of the United States of America and as the son of a man from Africa”, was President Obama’s opening remarks at the evening but as the evening dissolved into darkness, it became obvious that America is committed to boosting its ties with Africa. The 3-day conference would surely enhance the quality of collaboration between Africa and the United States but an exciting perspective was the interest of the wives of heads of state of countries across the Africa present at the summit in the issue of women empowerment when the subject was broached.
The National Museum of African Art was the venue of the discussion on women empowerment when Johnetta Betsch Cole, the Museum’s Director opened the Tuesday brunch, celebrating leading women from African nations with a cheer-worthy line. She said to the guests, who most are wives of Africa heads of state in Washington for the White House summit, “We’re here celebrating girl power, woman power”.
Some of the recognizable faces at the event include Chantal Compaoré, first lady of Burkina Faso, Keїta Aminata Maiga, first lady of Mali, Gertrude Hendrina Mutharika, first lady of Malawi, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, first lady of Gabon, Penehupifo Pohamba, first lady of Namibia, Charlotte Scott, first lady of Zambia, Farida Sellal, first lady of Algeria, Chantal De Souza Yayi, first lady of Benin, Constancia Mangue de Obiang, first lady of Equatorial Guinea, including their entourages, wives of the ambassadors, leading Nigerian artist, Nike Davies-Okundaye, the first minister of culture from Morocco, Ingrid Saunders Jones, chair of the National Council for the Negro Woman, Mo Abudu CEO Ebony Live TV, May Mbu, Executive Council Member, WIMBIZ, official translators, museum board members, journalists from “Arise” news, co-sponsors from the Caterpillar Foundation and wives of several ambassadors.
Amidst the celebration, Access Bank Group Managing Director and the champion of the W initiative – a programme designed for women banking who was a special guest at the brunch noted that “too often, the role of women in the continent is grossly underrepresented. We must embrace the fact that once the woman is educated, the whole family is educated; and what’s true for the family is true for the community and the whole country.”
He went on to discuss the ‘W’ initiative, saying that it offered privileges for women and their families including access to a comprehensive range of loan product and credit facilities; access to the ‘W’ community with helpful advice on family and financial matters; home and family articles and details of special offers; and access to a wide range of discounts, special offers and freebies on health, beauty and fitness. Mr. Wigwe talked at length about the Maternal Health Support Scheme (MHSS) which offers financial assistance for women who face difficulty with completing their family.
Access Bank is committed to women empowerment and is uniquely positioning as the bank of choice for women, offering innovative women-focused products and services. Recently, the bank was appointed to the National Advisory Board of WEConnect, a global non-profit organization committed to sustainable economic growth by increasing opportunities for women-owned businesses. The appointment was in recognition of the Bank’s numerous contributions to the development of women entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa.
By its membership, Access Bank becomes the only financial institution partner of the international women-empowerment organization which draws its membership from over 70 countries across globe. The Bank is set to continuously leverage its alliances, partnerships and collaborations with reputable international organizations to promote women entrepreneurship across Africa.