To celebrate women’s impact and support of its operations in different markets, Delta Air lines has brought together women leaders, key stakeholders, and business women in the Ghanaian aviation industry in a High Tea event in Accra. The event, which is the first of its kind, was held at the Telande Tea Garden in Labone, to commemorate international women’s day.
Commenting on the significance of the High Tea event, Eloina Baddoo, Sales Manager of Delta Air Lines – Ghana, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, said “Delta acknowledges the pivotal role that women play in international business and is committed to creating opportunities that ensure the growth and development of its women. It is therefore important that each year we make time to celebrate the global impact of women, especially the women leaders driving the Ghanaian aviation industry forward”. She added “it is important as women in aviation to ponder the developments in the sector, the next steps of action and forge ahead”.
Madam Juliet Agyapong Okae, Deputy Director General of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the President of Women in Aviation commended women participation in the aviation space however highlighted inadequate funds as one of the major hindrances to the sector’s progress. She urged the women to join associations and collectively develop the industry while supporting each other to make their journeys less stressful.
A panel discussion moderated by Madam Vera Metzler-Hinson saw a few women share their greatest achievements as professionals in the industry, challenges on their way to the top, and how ready they are for the next step. The themes discussed during the panel session included optimizing services, technology, diversification, awareness creation, capacity-building initiatives and, more importantly, networking to empower women and contribute to the sector’s growth.
President of Tour Operations of Ghana (TOUGHA), Mrs. Alisa Osei Asamoah disclosed, “Without the vision, you cannot move forward”. Micheline Yahot, Country Manager of Air Cote d’Ivoire added, “You must put in the work. Women do more with what they have; empower women because they always go the extra mile”. Guests took turns sharing their stories working in the industry and discussing ways to rise through the ranks to the top, promote and embrace gender equity and increase women’s participation in the aviation industry.
The special guest of honor, Head of the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, Madam Ruka Sanusi commended Delta Air Lines for the initiative and commitment to the Ghanaian industry for the past sixteen years. She said, “women are pivotal to all sectors of the economy and in the aviation industry, contribute significantly to creating a great travel experience and advancing excellence aviation”. She was impressed with the results-driven fight to increase women’s participation in many sectors worldwide. She admonished them to tap into their potential as there was so much more they can give and while at it, find the balance between their work and personal lives.
The International Aviation Women’s Association has said that airlines should financially reward managers who hire more women, reported Bloomberg. It comes after industry data showed almost zero progress toward gender parity in the past four years. Women typically hold just 13% of executive posts at carriers, even fewer than in financial services firms, Bloomberg analysis showed last month. The proportion of female pilots, technicians, or chief executive officers is less than 10%, according to a 2022 report by the US government’s Women in Aviation Advisory Board. The figures suggest decades of advocacy and voluntary targets for female representation are failing to deliver material advances. Managers should instead be incentivized, either with pay or promotion, to recruit a larger proportion of women, said Kathleen Gilfoyle, the president of the International Aviation Womens Association.
Fortune and Great Place to Work has named Delta the “Best Workplace for Women” for three consecutive years. In Africa, Delta has female leaders heading its operations and sales in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa.
Over the years, Delta has grown its services and maintained its position as the leading US carrier in Ghana by operating daily flights between Accra and New York. The Delta hubs in New York- JFK and Atlanta offer an unsurpassed network of hundreds of convenient onward connections worldwide. Delta is committed to providing affordable and quality service to Ghanaians.
