The Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lectures is an annual staple on the calendar of the University of Ghana to recognize the invaluable contributions of three astute personalities for the various roles played in the advancement of the country’s developmental and educational journey: Dr. James Kwegir Aggrey, Sir Gordon Guggisberg, and Dr. Simon D. Fraser particularly in the establishment of the then University College of Gold Coast ( now the University of Ghana).
The Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lectures started in 1957 with a focus to serve as an enthralling platform for stimulating intellectual discussions aimed at education, leadership, governance, and national development.
Each year, the distinguished Speakers, policymakers, government officials, and scholars are invited to share their insights on vital societal issues, fostering academic discourse dedicated to underpinning national development.
This year’s edition comes off from today, March 13 to March 14 at 4:30pm each day at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon.
The Distinguished Speaker for this year’s Lectures is an accomplished banking professional and astute business icon with over a decade plus experience across both regional and global banking services with transnational banking giant, Ecobank .
In the dynamic world of banking and finance, Mrs. Josephine Anan-Ankomah stands out as a visionary leader with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation.
She has led Ecobank Group’s commercial banking operation in 33 countries across Africa.
Her work focuses on creating relevant solutions to help build African SMEs and position them to become sustainable businesses. She pioneered the Group’s gender financing program, Ellevate by Ecobank, which provides women-owned businesses with both financial and non-financial support.
Beyond her professional achievements, Mrs. Anan-Ankomah is a passionate advocate for women’s leadership in the corporate world. She actively champions initiatives that support the development and mentorship of women in banking, reflecting her belief in a more equitable and diversity-rich financial sector.
She has a foundation called “SheBlossoms,” which provides support to needy junior high schools in Ghana, assisting them financially, providing mentorship and career guidance to promote education, and empowering young girls
Her forward-thinking approach and commitment to sustainable banking practices make Mrs. Josephine Anan-Ankomah is not just a leader but visionary and poised to shape the future of banking in Africa. As she continues her journey at Ecobank, the impact of her leadership is set to resonate far and wide across the continent.
The choice of the Speaker for the 2025 edition sits well with the University’s vision of being a world class research intensive institution and churning out alumni who are globally acclaimed, whilst impacting policy decisions in all facets of life in the corporate world, and Mrs Josephine Anan- Ankomah perfectly fits this bill.
Story by; Wonder Agbenu
