The Deputy Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Sheila Addo, has called for greater opportunities for women in leadership, emphasising the importance of professional competence, adequate preparation and self-confidence in advancing their careers.
Dr Addo made the call on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, at the opening of the 7th Africa Public Sector Conference & Awards (APSCA 2026) in Accra.
The three-day conference, scheduled for 14–16 October, is being held under the theme, “Governance 2030: Resilient Institutions for a Digital, Green & Secure Africa.”
Speaking during the Women, Governance and Trade Forum, Dr Addo addressed some of the challenges confronting women seeking senior leadership positions, particularly in institutions where men continue to occupy a significant proportion of executive roles.
She stressed the need for organisations to create more opportunities for qualified women while encouraging women themselves to demonstrate the confidence and professional readiness required to assume greater responsibilities.
Dr Addo stressed that preparation and competence remain essential to professional advancement. She encouraged women to approach leadership opportunities with confidence, equip themselves with the necessary skills and demonstrate their capabilities through their work.
She further emphasised the importance of investing in the development of the girl child, noting that encouraging young girls to believe in their abilities is an important step towards building a more inclusive generation of leaders.
The NPA Deputy Chief Executive maintained that self-confidence is a critical element of leadership development and encouraged women to recognise their professional value while remaining committed to continuous learning and improvement.
Her contribution highlighted the relationship between equal opportunity, professional development and effective institutional leadership, particularly as African public institutions work towards more inclusive governance.
The forum brought together senior female public officials from across Africa, including Dr Elizabeth Obeng-Yeboah of the Ghana Civil Service and Hon. Mary Yiane Seneta, Commissioner of Kenya’s National Land Commission.
The conference brings together senior government officials, policymakers, regulators and public sector executives from across Africa to examine approaches to strengthening institutional resilience, improving public service delivery and responding to emerging technological, environmental and security challenges.
For the NPA, participation in the conference provides an opportunity to contribute to continental discussions on institutional development, effective governance and inclusive leadership.