Doris Adjei urges women to build legacies beyond professional titles
Madam Doris Kwekwor Adjei, Board Chair of the Triumph Women Awards 2026, has urged women to embrace purposeful leadership and build legacies that extend beyond professional titles and personal achievements.
She said true leadership should not be measured solely by the positions attained but by the lives influenced, barriers broken, and opportunities created for others.
Madam Adjei, who is also the Managing Director of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, made the call in a message delivered on her behalf by Ms. Precious Ed-Peters Wilson, Executive Assistant at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, at the third edition of the Triumph Women Awards held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.
The ceremony, held under the theme “Her Blueprint, Her Legacy,” recognised 44 Ghanaian women for excellence, leadership, resilience, and contributions to society.
Madam Adjei said the awards were not only about celebrating success but also about recognising significance and the positive difference women continued to make in organisations, communities, and various sectors of society.
She said the women being honoured had demonstrated courage, resilience, excellence, and commitment that had transformed organisations, communities, industries, and individual lives.
“Yet a blueprint alone is not enough,” she said, adding that vision must be translated into action through perseverance, sacrifice, and consistent execution.
She urged women to recognise the responsibility that came with achievement and influence by investing in the next generation through sponsorship, mentorship, and the provision of knowledge, skills, and opportunities.
“When one woman rises, she opens doors for countless others. When women are empowered, families flourish, businesses grow, communities prosper, and nations become stronger,” she said.
The Board Chair’s message formed part of the broader focus of the She Triumph Initiative, which seeks to encourage women to translate their experiences, skills, and aspirations into meaningful and sustainable impact.
The 2026 Triumph Women Awards recognised 34 women through honorary and competitive categories.
Fourteen women received honorary awards for distinguished contributions and leadership, while 30 were recognised through competitive categories covering areas including executive leadership, maternal care, education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, community development, creative arts, healthcare, media, mental health advocacy, philanthropy, technology, and social impact.
Among the honorary award recipients was Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, who received the Triumph Lifetime Legacy of the Year award.
Other honorary awardees included Mrs. Janet Sunkwa-Mills, Triumph Women Empowerment Champion of the Year; Rev. Mrs Josephine Pearl Fosu-Kwakye, Triumph Christian Leader of the Year; Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Triumph STEM Excellence & Legacy of the Year; and media personality Anita Erskine, Triumph Global Impact Icon of the Year.
Also honoured were Mrs Diana Hopeson, Triumph Gospel Legend of the Year; Dr Joyce Akumaa Dangotey Padi, Triumph Woman of Hope, Compassion & Impact of the Year; Mrs Mary Anane Awuku, Triumph Woman of the Year; and Samira Abdul-Azeez, Esq., Triumph Phenomenal Heroine of the Year.
Other honorary recipients included Manye Naa Ode Adenku I, Triumph Humanitarian Icon of the Year; Akosua Ago Aboagye, Triumph Media Legend of the Year; Mrs. Serwaa Akoto Akotey, Triumph TVET Leadership & Impact Champion of the Year; Angela Atsah, Triumph Champion for Women Support of the Year; and Joyce Brako, Triumph Phenomenal Leader of the Year.
The competitive category recognised women in diverse fields.
Among them were Dromeryda Agyapong, Triumph Excellence in Executive Leadership of the Year; Rita Dede Agbeko, Triumph Excellence in Midwifery & Maternal Care of the Year; Mrs. Linda Budu-Diabene, Triumph Excellence in Child Development & Education of the Year; Fafape Ama Foe, Triumph Agro Icon of the Year; and Freda Donkor, Triumph CEO of the Year.
Dr. Maame Efua Gyasiwaa Abraham received both the Triumph Change Maker of the Year and the Triumph Social Impact Icon of the Year awards.
Other recipients included Roissa Darko, Triumph Community Development Icon of the Year; Gertrude Akosua Awumee, Triumph Creative Designer of the Year; Ernestina Mensah, Triumph Culinary Icon of the Year; Ing Marina Dede K. Agortimevor, Triumph Energy Icon of the Year; Irene Atubiga, Triumph Entrepreneur of the Year; and Marian Gifty Mensah, Triumph Fashion Icon of the Year.
The remaining recipients included Roberta Maanaa Quaye, Triumph Health Icon of the Year; Ephyia Stard Edna, Triumph Media Personality of the Year; Leticia Enyonam Sateklah, Triumph Mental Health Advocate of the Year; Cindy Amoah, Triumph Music Icon of the Year; Philomina Afi Antonio, Triumph Philanthropic Icon of the Year; Racheal Kuranchie, Triumph Tech Woman Icon of the Year; Georgina Ntem, Triumph Wellness & Lifestyle Icon of the Year; Faustina Amenyo, Triumph Young Achiever of the Year and Fafa Gozo who also received both Triumph She-Hero of the Year and Triumph Woman Advocate of the Year.
The awards ceremony was hosted by Lady Mrs Deborah Borketey-Tackie, popularly known as Debby Queen, founder of the She Triumph Initiative.
Debby Queen said the awards were established to create visibility for women whose contributions to society might otherwise remain under-recognised.
She described the venue as a “cathedral of excellence” where women whose contributions had made a difference were gathered to have their achievements recognised.
She said the awards were a continuation of the message of the She Triumph Women Conference, which challenged women to develop personal blueprints and build purposeful futures.
“Now, tonight, we celebrate those who have not only drafted the blueprints but have also built magnificent structures to impact,” she said.
Debby Queen urged younger women to draw inspiration from the stories of the honourees and believe in their own capacity to overcome limitations and build legacies.
“If they can do it, so can you,” she said.
She also reminded recipients that an award should not be viewed as the end of their journey but “a door, not a destination.”
The Triumph Women Awards is a flagship platform under the She Triumph Initiative of Debby Queen Productions, established to celebrate women’s leadership, achievements, resilience, and contributions to society.
The initiative covers sectors including business, leadership, education, healthcare, media, entrepreneurship, creative arts, and community development.
The third edition of the awards therefore combined recognition with a call for purposeful leadership, mentorship, and legacy-building, with Madam Adjei emphasising that the ultimate value of leadership lies in the lives influenced, barriers broken, and opportunities created for others.
Source: Joseph Kobla Wemakor
