Doris Adjei: True Leadership Is Measured by Lives Influenced, Not Titles Attained

Board Chair of the Triumph Women Awards 2026, Madam Doris Kwekwor Adjei, has called on women to embrace purposeful leadership and deliberately build legacies that extend beyond professional titles and personal achievements.

According to Madam Adjei, the true measure of leadership should not be determined solely by the positions people occupy but by the lives they influence, the barriers they break, and the legacies they intentionally create.

Her message was delivered at the third edition of the Triumph Women Awards held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, where 34 Ghanaian women were recognised for excellence, leadership, resilience, and contributions to society.

Madam Adjei, who is the Managing Director of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, said the awards ceremony was not merely an occasion to celebrate success but also an opportunity to celebrate significance and the positive difference women continue to make in their communities, organisations and various professional fields.

Her message, delivered on her behalf by Precious Ed-Peters Wilson, Executive Assistant at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, formed a central theme of the ceremony held under the broader She Triumph Initiative of Debby Queen Productions.

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

For Madam Adjei, leadership is most meaningful when it produces tangible impact and creates opportunities for others to rise.

She stressed that 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 a vision must be translated into action through perseverance, sacrifice, and consistent execution.

Her remarks reflected the central theme of the 2026 She Triumph Women Conference and Triumph Women Awards, “Her Blueprint, Her Legacy,” which challenged women to move from envisioning their futures to intentionally creating lasting impact.

Madam Adjei further urged women to recognise the responsibility that comes with achievement and influence, particularly by investing in the next generation.

She called for greater commitment to sponsoring, mentoring, and equipping young women with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities required 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,” her message stated.

The Board Chair’s call came as the Triumph Women Awards honoured 34 women through honorary and competitive categories covering a wide range of professional and social-impact fields.

Fourteen women received honorary awards for distinguished contributions and leadership, while 30 recipients emerged through competitive categories.

Among the honorary award recipients was Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, who received the Triumph Lifetime Legacy of the Year award.

Other honorary recipients 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 awardees 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 awards recognised women across executive leadership, maternal care, child development and education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, community development, creative arts, culinary services, energy, fashion, healthcare, media, mental health advocacy, philanthropy, real estate, technology, wellness, and social impact.

Among the competitive recipients were Fafa Gozo who received both Triumph She-Hero of the Year and Triumph Woman Advocate of the Year, 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 Triumph Social Impact Icon of the Year recognitions.

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; and Ing. Marina Dede K. Agortimevor, Triumph Energy Icon of the Year.

The awards also recognised 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; 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.

The awards ceremony was hosted by Lady Mrs. Deborah Borketey-Tackie, popularly known as Debby Queen, founder of the She Triumph Initiative.

In her remarks, Debby Queen described the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel as a “cathedral of excellence” where women whose contributions had made a difference were gathered to have their achievements recognised.

She explained that the awards were a continuation of the message of the She Triumph Women 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.

Debby Queen also emphasised the importance of visibility for women whose contributions may otherwise remain under-recognized.

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.”

She encouraged younger 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.

She further reminded recipients that recognition should not be regarded as the end of their journeys, describing an award as “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 and recognise women whose leadership, achievements, resilience, and contributions are making a meaningful difference in society.

The initiative brings together women from sectors including business, leadership, education, healthcare, media, entrepreneurship, creative arts, and community development, with particular attention to contributions that may otherwise remain under-recognised.

The third edition of the Triumph Women Awards therefore combined recognition with a broader call for purposeful leadership, mentorship, and legacy-building, as 34 women were celebrated for their contributions across diverse sectors.

Madam Adjei’s message underscored that the significance of leadership lies not only in the positions attained but also in the lives influenced, barriers broken, and opportunities created for others to rise.

 

Source: Joseph Kobla Wemakor

 

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