Championing the elevation of women: The story of Adiza Ibrahim

By Chris KONEY

On July 30, 2024, the Parliament of Ghana passed the Affirmative Action Bill, which aims to promote gender equality and women empowerment by addressing the systemic barriers that have hindered Ghanaian women when it becomes a law after presidential ascent.

The news has been received as a victory for women’s rights in Ghana after several years of wait and as a result of several actors, allies and activists lobbying and protesting for over a decade. When it becomes law, it makes it compulsory to have women either elected or appointed to major decision-making organs of public life.

Adiza Ibrahim is a Marketing and Public Relations Professional, entrepreneur and activist for women empowerment and elevation. She is one of many Ghanaians who have shared their excitement about the recent development and suggested the need for Ghanaians to be calculated, deliberate and systemic in creating opportunities for qualified women to lead.

I had a conversation with the visionary social entrepreneur, humanitarian and a strong advocate for girls and young women on her activities aimed at empowering women within several Ghanaian societies. Born in the nation’s capital into a humble Muslim family, her parents – Alhaji Issifu Braimah and Hajia Amina Braimah – prioritised education.

“I grew up in Tema and I attended the Nsaba Presbyterian Senior High School for my second cycle education. With my love for broadcast journalism, I enrolled at the African University College of Communications (AUCC) to pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication and Media Studies. I later proceeded to Central University to pursue a Master of Business Administration in Marketing, I am currently pursuing a Law programme at Central University,” she stated.

About her inspiration to champion initiatives aimed at elevating women and young ladies, Adiza revealed that she was heavily influenced by her parents in her formative years. Her father will go the extra mile to ensure his children had the best of education and social life with support from her mother, a dynamic entrepreneur.

“In addition to what I learnt from my parents while growing up, my days at TV3 Network as an intern gave me another perspective to life. I always got emotional covering human-interest stories, mostly from under-privileged communities. This involuntarily ignited my passion and determination to help people change their circumstances, especially the toxic narratives and stereotypes in under-privileged communities. This saw me trying to assist people in my very little way, which culminated into setting up a foundation that places a premium on women and young girls, who are very vulnerable in our society,” she added.

According to Adiza, there is a need for a paradigm shift when it comes to women contributing their quota to national development. “Like I said previously, the world is an open place ready to contain any idea, provided the originator is ready and willing to push it through thick and thin. Although more needs to be done, today the advocacy has been deepened and there are more social networks than before, providing the platform for people to excel. You need to identify a problem or a challenge and dare to be different by coming up with a solution as well as seeking guidance and assistance where necessary,” she outlined.

In 2017, Adiza initiated The Zango Women Livelihood and Empowerment Programme followed by the establishment of Kuburah Diamonds Foundation (KDF), a non-profit organisation committed to the empowerment of girls and women from Zongo communities in 2020.

The foundation focuses on capacity building through a series of skills development training. She is convinced that by investing in women, they are empowered and equipped to become people of value and substance, leading to the creation of an equitable society for all.

“With Kuburah Diamonds Foundation, we seek to empower and educate girls and young women to seek educational opportunities as well as acquire relevant skills through a series of training programmes, which can help them to be become financially independent. Considering the challenges in the Zongo communities which I can identify – being a dedicated Muslim, I have over the years focused on working with and supporting women and girls within our zongo communities,” she emphasised.

Over the period, Adiza and her team have achieved tremendous success with their activities. Currently, thousands of women and young girls from various Zongo communities across the country have benefitted from various training programmes in make-up artistry, soap-making, millinery, customer service, digital training, basic Accounting and book-keeping.

Late last year, Adiza launched her book titled ‘Hey, Diamond! Becoming an Intentional Lady’, a compilation of articles and short stories on various life themes based on her real-life experiences. The book is expected to guide, motivate and inspire girls and young women to be intentional about their personal life choices, resolutions, spiritual life, education, career and social life. At the moment, she has held numerous reading clinics and donated over 1,000 copies of the book to pupils.

In the coming years, Adiza hopes that the foundation trains more women and young girls in tye and dye making, making of crocheted and beaded bags as well as catering. She is looking forward to governmental support through the provision of various avenues not to only empower women, but also to create sustainable businesses and viable jobs for them.

“In addition to more public-private partnerships, it will be great to consider tax incentives for philanthropists who mostly fund free skill training with their personal resources. Nothing good comes by chance; and I will end by urging young girls and women to be intentional in everything they do,” she concluded.

>>>Chris is a thought leader in Marketing Communications, Stakeholder Relationship Management Professional and International Cooperation Specialist. Over the last fifteen (15) years, he has made tremendous impact within Africa’s corporate communications and creative arts sectors. He can be reached at [email protected] / 233 20 854 1480.

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