Another day, another workshop, another story of impact. Kanko Limited Company (Kanko) delivered a two-day capacity-building training for the Women’s Wing of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) from 30th to 31st October, 2025. The training programme took place at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, Accra.
The training, themed “Living with Intentionality as a Woman,” was designed and facilitated by Mrs. Mary Tobbin Osei, a Gender and Social Inclusion Consultant and Managing Director of Kanko. The trainingbrought together women from across Ghana’s mining sector for an engaging and transformative learning experience centered on self-awareness, empowerment, and professional growth.
Empowering Women to Live and Lead Intentionally
The training took off with a group discussions on “Acting Your Gender,” which helped participants reflect on how cultural and institutional norms shape gender roles and responsibilities. This was part a discussion and presentation on the basics of gender equality. It then extended to helping participants to understand the barriers impeding women’s personal and professional growth, and to develop practical approaches to overcoming them. It also guided participants to identify and leverage opportunities for intentional growth, both within their workplaces and personal lives.
Through interactive discussions, group work, and self-reflective exercises, participants explored topics including:
- The fundamentals of gender equality, and the difference between sex and gender.
- Societal, organizational, personal, and financial barriers that limit women’s advancement.
- The impact of patriarchal structures, stereotypes, and unconscious bias on career progression.
- Strategies for building confidence, practicing self-advocacy, and embracing a growth mindset.
- The importance of networking, mentorship, and self-care in women’s empowerment.
A key highlight was the group discussions on the challenges women face in a male dominated working environment like the mines. It was thrilling to notice how people’s gender orientations and culture shape their perceptions about women and their expected roles, even in the professional space. The discussions revealed that women tend to experience discrimination in their workplaces and often the perpetrators (both men and women) do so inadvertently. Participants also worked in teams to identify practical strategies to overcome personal, social, and institutional barriers to women’s advancement.
Inspiring Confidence and Action
Throughout the sessions, participants were encouraged to challenge limiting beliefs, identify their strengths, and pursue their goals with intentionality. Mrs. Tobbin Osei emphasized that “living intentionally requires clarity of purpose and consistent action toward one’s growth, even when faced with structural barriers.”
The two-day training concluded with a panel discussion where participants shared personal experiences, insights, and lessons learned. The atmosphere was one of solidarity and shared determination, as women reflected on how they could support each other to rise through the ranks and contribute meaningfully to leadership within the mining sector and beyond.
Kanko’s Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
This workshop reflects Kanko’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality, leadership, and inclusion across sectors. Established in 2013, Kanko is a Ghanaian social development consulting firm dedicated to promoting sustainable and inclusive growth through evidence-based research, capacity-building, and strategic advisory services.
With expertise spanning gender and social inclusion, organizational development, policy analysis, Monitoring Evaluation and Research, as well as project management, Kanko has built a strong reputation for delivering impactful programmes that empower individuals and institutions to achieve meaningful change. The firm’s facilitation style emphasizes participation, reflection, and practical application, ensuring that participants leave each engagement not only informed but also inspired to act.
In partnering with organizations such as the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union of TUC, Kanko continues to play a vital role in shaping the leadership journeys of women across Ghana’s workforce. The firm remains committed to supporting women to live, lead, and grow with intentionality, because when women rise, communities and institutions thrive.
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