Samira Bawumia: The Powerhouse Of A Visionary Leader

When you educate a man, you educate an individual but when you educate a woman, you educate a nation; these are words attributed to renowned Ghanaian scholar, Dr. James Emmanuel Kwegyir-Aggrey, and it is translated to mean empowering a woman is a key ingredient to nation building.

Women are the backbone of every successful man, no wonder the adage goes that behind every great or successful man, there is a woman. These sayings appear to be mere words but are most powerful and there is a woman whose life is a living proof of a nation-builder and the powerhouse of a visionary leader.

Samira Bawumia, the Second Lady of Ghana, is the living testimony that women and at large, the youth, can and must excel in their endeavors. Samira Bawumia has indeed set the tone for women empowerment through her leadership qualities and lifestyle as a trailblazer.

Mrs. Bawumia is the perfect example that women in Ghana can live up to their dream of occupying leadership positions, being women of valor and in the political arena, break boundaries to enter into various political spheres.

First quality that Mrs. Samira Bawumia shows is the empowerment role she leads and continues to prove through the confidence she exudes in executing her assignments, assisting the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in realizing his vision as well as the vision of His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and challenging the status quo as a female leader providing good and alternative ideas to inspiring women to boldly aspire for success knowing that the spot is not for men alone but women as well.

As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects which focuses on health, education, women empowerment and entrepreneurial development, one of her notable achievements which is verifiable is “Needles4Girls” where over 2000 girls have been enrolled into fashion school to equip them as well as reduce the unemployment rate in Ghana. She also financially supports many women in their trading activities and other areas, all aimed at inspiring women to be successful in society.

The Second Lady’s unique interest and passion in developing the skills of women and supporting the needy cannot be overemphasized as from the inception of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, she has remained committed to her purpose and vision of the government in developing the nation, for that matter providing jobs for the youth and encouraging them to be entrepreneurially-minded. She also spearheaded the “Samira Bawumia Literature Prize”, an annual literacy prize for young Ghanaians, which provides young creatives and writers an opportunity to share their art with the world.

Samira Bawumia has received the “Ghanaian Women Association of Georgia Global Humanitarian Award” for her interventions in maternal and child health, women empowerment and education. These laurels are a testament of the Second Lady’s unflinching determination and devotion to improving the lives of the youth in Ghana. The youth occupy the deepest place in the heart of Mrs. Bawumia and she has never backed down on providing the requisite tools for youth development.

Also, the Second Lady’s immense support towards industrialization has never been in question. Industrialization is fundamental to the development of Ghana and Samira Bawumia has shown enormous commitment to Ghana’s textile industry through her beautiful African adornment. The Second Lady is widely known and seen always clad in African print which is a major boost to the local textile business.

Ranging from Kente cloth to simple but speakable African prints that are conspicuous everywhere she goes leaves an indelibly good impression in the minds of people as to where she originates from and tells the Ghanaian textile story. She inspires the fashion industry, hence having a good influence on the youth in fashion.

Samira Bawumia’s sense of fashion undoubtedly empowers young fashion designers, therefore encouraging vocational and technical skills. Based on the Second Lady’s way of dressing, a new term has been coined “Ghanaianism” as she’s shown and keeps showing that she is 100% in support of made-in-Ghana goods, hence being one of the people to wear locally manufactured dresses.

Her Excellency, the Second Lady Samira Bawumia shows that everything that concerns the youth concerns her. She turns up to functions organized by the youth and actively participate in every developmental project for the youth. Recently, in fact a few days ago, she welcomed some young Ghanaian actors in her residence and didn’t only preach her support for them but practiced it by accepting their invite to their movie premiere.

The actor called Kyekyeku whose real name is Bismark Ofori and his team paid a visit to the Second Lady to invite her to their 1957 movie premiere at the National Theatre on 27th April, 2024 and they were warmly welcomed by her, spent a good session with her and she happily accepted their invite giving them hope and the youth in general of her support as well as the government’s support for the youth and creative arts industry.

Furthermore, the Second Lady’s humility, personal and public relations is worth mentioning. Her open arms for the youth, her approachable character and beaming face in welcoming the youth is one that sets her apart from many others. Mrs. Bawumia, upon becoming the Second Lady, gave two young boys, publicly called Twinsdntbeg, the opportunity to work with her as her photographers. Her easy-going personality has been a blessing and a great force that has catapulted these youngsters into the limelight. This goes to tell Mrs. Samira Bawumia’s vision to creating jobs for the youth and to furnish them with adequate resources to promote their businesses.

Samira Bawumia is an epitome of youth empowerment and by extension, her husband, the Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, have both proven through their works and track record which is there for all and sundry to see that they have the interest of the youth at heart.

Through a number of initiatives by the government such as the National Entrepreneurship & Innovation Programme (NEIP) whose primary objective is to provide support for start-ups and local businesses, the Bawumia effect cannot be undermined and a vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with Samira Bawumia as his backbone into power on December 7 is the catalyst for a more transformative and a new era of youth and national development.

Source: Ghmessenger.com