By Gloria Anderson
Vivo Energy Ghana has emerged as the overall winner at the 2024 Vivo Group Awards held in Cape Town, South Africa, with its groundbreaking ShePower initiative. Competing against 37 other entries from 28 countries, the ShePower project secured the top spot in the ‘People’ category, reinforcing the company’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and female empowerment in the energy sector.
Speaking in an interview with GBC’s Gloria Anderson, Shirley Tony Kum, Corporate Communications Manager of Vivo Energy Ghana, described ShePower as a transformative initiative aimed at equipping women with the skills, opportunities, and confidence to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries.
“This project is reshaping the narrative for women in the energy sector. From fueling careers to driving economic empowerment, ShePower is more than a mission—it’s a movement,” she stated.
According to Ms. Tony Kum, the ShePower initiative was symbolically launched on International Women’s Day and has since grown into a comprehensive programme targeting female employees, contractors, retailers, and transporters within the company’s network. The initiative includes capacity-building workshops, mentorship programmes for young women in second-cycle institutions, and advocacy efforts to highlight the challenges women face in leadership roles.
One of the standout achievements of ShePower has been the establishment of an in-house nursing facility for female employees. “This facility allows female staff to balance work and childcare effectively, creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace,” Ms. Tony Kum noted.
She further highlighted the increasing participation of women in technical roles within the company, citing the appointment of the first female lubricant plant manager overseeing a five-million-litre warehouse and the recruitment of female engineers. Additionally, ShePower has supported several female employees in furthering their education and professional development, ensuring they have access to career growth opportunities.
Beyond internal capacity-building, ShePower has also extended its impact through the ShePower Campus Mentorship Programme, which has reached various second-cycle institutions across the country. The programme provides guidance and support to young girls aspiring to pursue careers in STEM and leadership roles.
As part of its advocacy, the initiative produced a spotlight documentary that highlights the struggles and triumphs of women striving for leadership positions in male-dominated fields. “The documentary serves as both inspiration and a call to action for greater gender equity in the workplace,” Ms. Tony Kum emphasized.
Looking ahead, Vivo Energy Ghana is set to launch ShePower 2.0, which will deepen its collaboration with stakeholders to drive even greater impact. “This award is both an honour and a challenge. It inspires us to keep pushing the boundaries of diversity and inclusion. Every woman matters, and we have the power to do more,” she concluded.
The recognition at the Vivo Group Awards underscores the impact of ShePower in bridging the gender gap within the energy sector and empowering women to thrive in leadership and technical roles. The success of the initiative signals a growing commitment within the industry to fostering inclusive workplaces and providing women with the resources they need to excel.
One Response