International Women’s Day; Celebrating Trailblazers in A Male-Dominated Field
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, it’s imperative to reflect on the remarkable achievements of women who have shattered stereotypes, overcome obstacles, and left an indelible mark on history. In Ghana, as in many parts of the world, the tech and gaming industries have long been male-dominated.
However, despite facing systemic barriers and societal expectations, these trailblazers have forged their paths, inspiring generations to come. From esport players and game narrative writers to entrepreneurs, CEOs, and animators, Ghanaian women are leading the charge in shaping the future of technology and gaming in Africa and beyond. These trailblazers are not only creating innovative products and services that are changing people’s lives, but they are also serving as role models and mentors for the next generation of women in tech and gaming.
Join us as we celebrate the resilience, tenacity, and unyielding spirit of women who have made history, proving that no dream is too big and no obstacle too daunting to overcome. Their stories inspire and remind us of the limitless potential within every woman to shape the world and redefine what it means to succeed.
Monica Mensah Sefakor
Monica Mensah popularly known as GamerGirlNica is the Ambassador for Women in Games, Content Creator, and eSports Athlete for PlayProvince. The professional gamer, specialized in the EAFC genre, is also a proud member of Queens Afrika and a game tester for Leti Arts. GamerGirlNIka began the esports journey when she started playing Dream League one of the most popular soccer simulation games on the market. There were also significant instances that shaped the journey. Like her neighbor who owned a PS3 and would play and teach her a few tricks. She also had a teacher who owned a console and would play with her after school. Gradually she learned a few tricks of her own and started playing at game centres where she won most of the matches. With boosted confidence and momentum she landed a spot in Team Falcon in 2021, which ultimately paved the way to her biggest gig yet, Queens Afrika. Now the season esports athlete is an 8x FIFA /EAFCWomen Tournament Champion (Ghana).
Karen-Happuch
Karen-Happuch is a young Ghanaian lady breaking grounds in the Animation Industry. Karen is an Animation Director, Digital Illustrator, UI/UX Designer, and founder of KHPH Studios and KHPH Customs. With skills in 2D animation, 3D environment design, and Editing, Karen-Happuch was part of the animators selected to represent Ghana at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France. On top of that, the animator is the brains behind Abrefi Koto- A Father’s Joy. It is a tale set in the rich culture of the Asante Kingdom in Ghana about a girl determined to make her father proud, and fights for women’s rights. Her passion for animation grew out of her love for drawing and painting. As a child, she always had different coloring books and sketchbooks and would draw, color, and paint whatever she imagined.
Adzo Kyemenu-Sarsah
Adzo Kyemenu-Sarsah is the founder of the Girls in Animation project, an initiative aimed at empowering young women in Ghana to pursue careers in animation and storytelling. Through Girls in Animation, Adzo is working to bridge the gender gap in the animation industry and provide young women with the skills and resources they need to succeed. The project offers training programs, mentorship, and networking opportunities, and has already helped many young women launch their careers in animation.
The Girls in Animation founder is a highly experienced creative with a diverse range of skills in animation, graphic design, video editing, motion graphics, and multimedia design. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Animation from Ghana’s National Film and Television Institute.
Farida Bedwei
Farida Bedwei, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Logiciel is a pioneer in the Ghanaian tech industry. She has developed innovative software solutions for businesses and organizations, including banking software used by major banks in Ghana. Before co-founding Logiciel, Ms. Bedwei worked in the telecom software industry, developing mobile gateways and services for mobile networks and content providers. She also served on the Board of Ghana’s National Communications Authority between 2014 and 2016. As Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Logiciel, Ms. Bedwei helped to provide software to over 600 microfinance institutions across Ghana. She believes the informal sector—which in Africa, consists of a large portion of women—should receive the same standard of banking services as those provided to the formal sector.
Ms. Bedwei is also an author and a disability rights advocate, whose work has been featured in international and local media. In October 2018, Ms. Bedwei teamed up with Ghana-based games studio Leti Arts to author the first comic book featuring a superheroine with cerebral palsy: “Karmzah.” The story follows a physically challenged superheroine with cerebral palsy whose quest is to fight bad guys in Africa and beyond. Furthermore, Ms. Bedwei also founded and hosts “Demystifying Disabilities,” an online show aimed at educating society about disabilities and issues that concern the disability community. She has served on the board of Sharecare Ghana, an NGO that raises awareness for persons with autoimmune and neurological conditions, since 2013.
Emma Maame Efua Tandoh
Emma Maame Efua Tandoh is a Ghanaian entrepreneur and creative force who is making waves in the fashion industry with her innovative use of African textiles. As the founder of Love Ankara, a retail, footwear, and accessory brand, Emma is passionate about promoting authentic African prints and empowering women through her designs. Emma’s journey began with a love for African fabrics and a desire to see them represented in mainstream fashion. She saw an opportunity to create a brand that celebrated the diversity and creativity of African cultures, while also supporting local textile industries. Through Love Ankara, Emma has been able to bring African prints to the forefront of fashion, creating unique and stylish designs that have been embraced by women around the world. Her work has not only made a statement in the fashion world but has also provided a platform for African artisans and designers to showcase their talents.
Emma’s commitment to empowering women extends beyond her fashion designs. She is also an advocate for women’s entrepreneurship and has spoken publicly about the importance of supporting women-led businesses. She is the founder of Outspoken Edge, a digital marketing service company based in Accra Ghana that specifically provides digital marketing services for startups founded by women.
Through Outspoken Edge, Emma has provided essential marketing support to numerous female entrepreneurs in Ghana and beyond, helping them to develop effective digital strategies, create engaging content, and build strong brands. Her work has been instrumental in promoting the growth and visibility of women-led businesses, which often face unique challenges and barriers in male-dominated industries. Emma’s expertise in digital marketing is driven by her passion for technology and her deep understanding of the online landscape.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the incredible achievements of these Ghanaian women in the tech, gaming, and digital marketing industries, it is clear that they are trailblazers in their respective fields. Their passion, creativity, and determination have allowed them to overcome barriers and create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
