Founder of the She Triumph Initiative, Lady Mrs. Deborah Borketey-Tackie, popularly known as Debby Queen, has called on women to move beyond developing personal visions to deliberately building lasting legacies that can inspire and transform future generations.
Speaking as host of the 2026 Triumph Women Awards at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Debby Queen said the recognition of 44 Ghanaian women was a celebration not only of their achievements but also of the impact created through their leadership, resilience, excellence, and service to society.
The third edition of the Triumph Women Awards was held following the 2026 She Triumph Women Conference under the theme “Her Blueprint, Her Legacy.”
The event brought together accomplished women, distinguished guests, sponsors, partners, members of the diplomatic community, and advocates for women’s empowerment to celebrate women making contributions across various sectors.
Addressing the gathering, Debby Queen described the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel as a “cathedral of excellence,” where extraordinary women had assembled to have their contributions recognised and their names written into history.
She explained that the awards represented a continuation of the message of the She Triumph Conference, where women were encouraged to develop personal blueprints for purposeful lives and careers.
“Now, tonight, we celebrate those who have not only drafted the blueprints but have also built magnificent structures to impact,” she said.
According to Debby Queen, the Triumph Women Awards were established out of the recognition that visibility matters, particularly for women whose contributions to families, communities, institutions, and society may not always receive adequate public recognition.
She said the platform was created to shine a spotlight on women from different backgrounds and professions—”from governors to grassroots, from the boardroom to the classroom, from the artist studio to the laboratory.”
For her, the stories of the women being honoured should serve as encouragement to younger women who may be navigating challenges and searching for examples of what is possible.
“If they can do it, so can you,” she told the gathering.
She also reminded the honourees and guests that an award should not mark the conclusion of a woman’s journey.
Rather, she described recognition as “a door, not a destination,” encouraging recipients to use their visibility and influence to create further opportunities for others.
The 2026 Triumph Women Awards recognised 44 Ghanaian women across honorary and competitive categories.
Fourteen women received honorary awards for distinguished contributions and leadership, while 30 recipients were recognised through competitive categories covering a broad range of professional, entrepreneurial, and social-impact fields.
Among the honorary recipients was Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, who received the Triumph Lifetime Legacy of the Year award.
Other honorary awardees 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 received the Triumph Global Impact Icon of the Year award.
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 recipients 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 working across executive leadership, maternal care, child development and education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, community development, creative arts, culinary services, education, energy, fashion, healthcare, media, mental health advocacy, philanthropy, real estate, technology, wellness, and social impact.
Among the competitive recipients were 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 emphasis on purposeful leadership was further reinforced in a message from the Board Chair of the Triumph Women Awards, Madam Doris Kwekwor Adjei, Managing Director of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, delivered by Precious Ed-Peters Wilson, Executive Assistant at Zoomlion Ghana Limited.
Madam Adjei said the occasion was about more than celebrating success, stressing that it was equally about celebrating significance.
She noted that the women being honoured had demonstrated courage, resilience, excellence, and commitment that had transformed organisations, communities, industries, and individual lives.
She further argued that leadership should not be measured solely by titles but by the lives influenced, barriers broken, and legacies intentionally built.
According to her, 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 the importance of perseverance, sacrifice, and consistent execution.
She also called for greater investment in the next generation of women through sponsorship, mentorship, and access to knowledge, skills, and opportunities.
“When one woman rises, she opens doors for countless others. When women are empowered, families flourish, businesses grow, communities prosper, and nations become stronger,” the message stated.
The Triumph Women Awards form part of the She Triumph Initiative of Debby Queen Productions, which seeks to celebrate exceptional women while creating visibility around women’s leadership, achievements, and contributions to society.
The initiative brings together women from different sectors, including business, leadership, education, healthcare, media, entrepreneurship, creative arts, and community development.
For Debby Queen, however, the significance of the platform extends beyond the awards themselves.
The recognition is intended to encourage women to embrace their stories, recognise their potential, and translate their experiences, skills, and aspirations into purposeful impact.
The message of the initiative is captured in its declaration: “When one woman triumphs, we all triumph.”
The 2026 ceremony ultimately became both a celebration of achievement and a reminder of the responsibility that comes with influence.
Through her message, Debby Queen challenged women to see their personal and professional journeys as blueprints that can become legacies when matched with discipline, courage, perseverance, and action.
The 44 women recognised at the ceremony therefore represented more than a list of award recipients. Their stories formed part of a broader narrative about women creating opportunities, breaking barriers, and contributing to Ghana’s development across different fields.
As Debby Queen reminded the gathering, recognition should be viewed as “a door rather than a destination.”
The third edition of the Triumph Women Awards thus closed with applause for women who have already made their mark—and an invitation to a new generation to begin building their own blueprints and lasting legacies.
Source: Joseph Kobla Wemakor
