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It is an absolute honour to be here with you today at the SHEBOSS UK summit. I commend Glitz Africa and its visionary leader, Claudia Kwarteng Lumor, for convening this amazing event. Let me extend my warmest greetings to all dignitaries, panel speakers, women entrepreneurs, and changemakers gathered in this room. I am excited to join you as the Special Guest of Honour.  The theme, “From Income to Influence: The Wealth Building Blueprint for Women” is both timely and transformative.

On behalf of the ����̽��, let me say how much we support such a strategic and forward-looking platform, and look forward to championing, along with you, women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and enterprise across Africa and the diaspora.

My own journey — from communications consultant to Member of Parliament, to Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and now Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations — has taught me this: Influence is not just a function of success, it is an engine of transformation. The impact of vision, integrity, resilience, and yes, example-what we here collectively represent as role models. The wealth of our ideas, representation, and relationships can shape nations and the future. And that is why we must serve a purpose beyond the self. Because the quality of life we wish to see around us, the safety and well-being of our planet and living meaningful lives only comes from using our leverage intentionally and from leading boldly.

As someone who has walked the corridors of Parliament, Cabinet rooms, international summits, and now sits at the head of the ����̽��, I have witnessed firsthand the difference it makes when women are not just at the table — but when they co-own the table, set the agenda, and write the rules. So, when we speak of “From Income to Influence,” which is the crux of the theme for this year, we are not just discussing profit margins and financial statements. We are considering the currency of voice, the power of presence, and the legacy of leadership. We are talking about how women move from surviving in the marketplace to shaping the marketplace.

At the ����̽��, we are deeply invested in this transformation. With member states representing over 2.7 billion people — 60% of whom are under the age of 30 — we recognise that economic inclusion of women is not optional.

• It is strategic.
• It is urgent.
• It is smart policy.

That is why we have made women’s economic empowerment one of the cornerstones of our work — through policy reform, capacity building, access to finance initiatives, and digital economy solutions. Let me highlight three key areas where the Commonwealth is actively championing women’s financial progress:

1. Commonwealth Women Entrepreneurship Accelerator (CWEA) Through CWEA, we are helping women-owned businesses navigate the complexities of trade, digital markets, and regional export chains. We are not just training entrepreneurs — we are connecting them to investment networks, e-commerce platforms, and cross-border partnerships. It’s about turning micro-enterprises into global brands.
    
2. Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) GRB is a strategy that promotes the goal of gender equity by allocating specific budgets for both women and men beneficiaries in projects and programmes. Its purpose is to promote accountability and transparency in fiscal planning; increase gender-responsive participation in budget processes; and advance the gender equity agenda. Having gender equity in developmental or service delivery programmes requires intentional measures to incorporate a gender perspective in planning and budgeting frameworks — and concrete investment in addressing gender gaps.
    
3. Digital Skills and Innovation Hubs for Women and Girls. Through initiatives like Commonwealth Girls in ICT and partnerships with global tech platforms, we are ensuring women have the tools to compete in the digital economy, lead in AI, and thrive in fintech. Because if women are not designing the future, they risk being excluded from it.

To all the women here today — whether you are pitching your first business idea or managing a portfolio of ventures — know this:

����̽�� stands with you. The world is shifting in your favour. But we need your courage. We need your vision. And we need your voice. And to our brothers, partners, governments, and financial institutions, I challenge you:

Rethink access. Redesign policies. Reimagine leadership.

From Accra to London and everywhere in the world, let this be the decade when women’s income truly transforms into influence.