Triumph Women Awards 2026 celebrates 34 women for excellence, leadership and lasting impact

The third edition of the Triumph Women Awards has celebrated 34 Ghanaian women whose leadership, resilience, professional excellence, and contributions to society continue to create meaningful impact across diverse sectors.

Held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra following the 2026 She Triumph Women Conference, the colourful ceremony brought together accomplished women, distinguished guests, sponsors, partners, members of the diplomatic community, and advocates for women’s empowerment to celebrate women who are not only breaking barriers but also building legacies for generations to come.

The awards ceremony, organised under the She Triumph Initiative of Debby Queen Productions, was held around the central message of “Her Blueprint, Her Legacy”—a theme that connected the preceding conference with the celebration of women whose visions have translated into tangible impact.

From blueprint to legacy

Opening the ceremony, the host of the Triumph Women Awards 2026, Lady Mrs. Deborah Borketey-Tackie, described the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel as a “cathedral of excellence” where extraordinary women had gathered to have their contributions recognised and their names written into history.

She explained that the awards were a continuation of the message delivered at the She Triumph Conference, where women were challenged to develop their 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.

According to her, the Triumph Women Awards were established because visibility matters, particularly for women whose contributions to society have often gone unrecognised.

She said the platform sought to shine a spotlight on women from different walks of life—”from governors to grassroots, from the boardroom to the classroom, from the artist studio to the laboratory.”

Mrs. Borketey-Tackie further challenged young women inspired by the honourees to see their stories as evidence that they too could overcome limitations and build legacies of their own.

“If they can do it, so can you,” she told the gathering, adding that an award should not be considered the end of a journey but “a door, not a destination.”

Leadership beyond titles

A message from the Board Chair of the Triumph Women Awards, Madam Doris Kwekwor Adjei, Managing Director of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, delivered on her behalf by Precious Ed-Peters Wilson, Executive Assistant at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, reinforced the importance of purposeful leadership.

Madam Adjei said the occasion was not only about celebrating success but also about celebrating significance.

She noted that the women being recognised had demonstrated courage, resilience, excellence, and commitment that had transformed organisations, communities, industries, and individual lives.

She stressed that true leadership should not be measured solely by titles attained but also by the lives influenced, barriers broken, and legacies intentionally built.

According to her, every extraordinary achievement begins with a blueprint—a vision, purpose, and deliberate plan shaped by values, discipline, and faith.

“Yet a blueprint alone is not enough,” she said, emphasising that it must be brought to life through perseverance, sacrifice, and consistent execution.

She further underscored the importance of investing in the next generation by sponsoring, mentoring and equipping young women with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to discover their potential and shape their futures.

“When one woman rises, she opens doors for countless others. When women are empowered, families flourish, businesses grow, communities prosper, and nations become stronger,” the message stated.

44 women recognised

The 2026 awards featured two major categories—honorary awards and competitive awards—with a total of 34 recipients recognised.

Fourteen women received honorary awards for distinguished contributions and leadership, while 20 recipients emerged through the competitive awards categories.

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, who was honoured as Triumph Global Impact Icon of the Year.

Also, recognised were gospel personality Mrs. Diana Hopeson, Triumph Gospel Legend of the Year; Dr. Joyce Akumaa Dangotey Padi, Triumph Woman of Hope, Compassion & Impact of the Year; and Mrs. Mary Anane Awuku, Triumph Woman of the Year.

Other honorary recipients included Samira Abdul-Azeez, Esq., Triumph Phenomenal Heroine of the Year; 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 also recognised women across a wide range of professional and social-impact fields, including executive leadership, maternal care, child development and education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, community development, creative arts, culinary services, education, energy, fashion, healthcare, media, mental health advocacy, philanthropy, real estate, technology, wellness, and social impact.

Among the competitive award recipients 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.

Others included Dr. Maame Efua Gyasiwaa Abraham, who received both Triumph Change Maker of the Year and Triumph Social Impact Icon of the Year recognition; 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; and Ing. Marina Dede K. Agortimevor, Triumph Energy Icon of the Year.

The awards also recognised Fafa Gozo, who also received both Triumph She-Hero of the Year and Triumph Woman Advocate of the Year, Irene Atubiga, Triumph Entrepreneur of the Year; Marian Gifty Mensah, Triumph Fashion Icon of the Year; 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; and 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; and Faustina Amenyo, Triumph Young Achiever of the Year.

More than an awards ceremony

The Triumph Women Awards is a flagship platform under the She Triumph Initiative, established to celebrate and recognise exceptional women whose leadership, achievements, resilience, and contributions are making a meaningful difference in society.

The initiative is operated by Debby Queen Productions with support from partners.

According to the organisers, the awards deliberately extend beyond a conventional recognition ceremony by celebrating women’s journeys and accomplishments while inspiring the next generation to believe in the transformative power of women’s leadership.

The platform covers women across business, leadership, education, healthcare, media, entrepreneurship, creative arts, and community development, with particular attention to contributions that may otherwise remain under-recognised.

Its overarching message is captured in the declaration: “When one woman triumphs, we all Triumph.”

A call to build lasting legacies

The 2026 ceremony ultimately served as both a celebration and a call to action.

For the organisers, the recognition of accomplished women is intended to demonstrate that excellence, integrity, courage and purpose-driven leadership can create lasting change.

For the younger generation, the stories of the award recipients provide examples of what can be achieved when vision is matched with discipline, perseverance, and action.

As the Board Chair’s message reminded participants, every woman has the capacity to develop her own blueprint and build a legacy that extends beyond her immediate circumstances.

The third edition of the Triumph Women Awards therefore closed not simply with applause for the women who had already made their mark, but with an invitation to countless others to begin building theirs.

Source: Joseph Kobla Wemakor