The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) in charge of Technical Services, Dr. Sheila Addo, has been honoured at the 2026 Instinct Women Conference & Awards (IWCA), held from 26–27 February 2026 at the Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
Dr. Addo received the Woman Leader of the Year – Energy Regulation award in recognition of her exemplary leadership within Ghana’s energy regulatory landscape and her sustained contributions to institutional strengthening, regulatory transparency, and stakeholder engagement in the downstream petroleum sector.
Her recognition reflects a track record of advancing consumer protection frameworks, promoting data-driven regulatory oversight, deepening accountability mechanisms, and enhancing collaboration between the Authority, industry operators, and the consuming public. These measures have reinforced public trust and strengthened regulatory credibility within the sector.
The 2026 IWCA was convened under the theme, “Women Who Move Nations: Leadership, Legacy & Impact,” bringing together senior government officials, corporate executives, development partners, and distinguished women leaders from across Africa to examine the transformative influence of women in governance, institutional reform, and economic development.
In his welcome address, Akin Naphtal, Group CEO of InstinctWave, the organisers of the conference, emphasised that women across the continent are increasingly shaping institutions, influencing public policy, and driving sustainable development outcomes. He indicated that the platform was designed to celebrate measurable impact and honour leadership defined by integrity, courage, and enduring legacy.
Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Addo outlined three defining attributes of impactful leadership: the courage to make high-stakes decisions; the responsibility to strengthen institutions beyond one’s tenure; and the obligation to ensure that leadership translates into tangible improvements in national stability and citizen welfare. She underscored the importance of purpose-driven leadership and called for deliberate systems that accelerate inclusive participation and opportunity.
In addition to Dr. Addo’s honour, the National Petroleum Authority received the Women Empowerment Champion Award – Public Sector in recognition of its commitment to gender inclusion, institutional equity, and structured capacity development within the public service.
Other distinguished awardees included Eunice Budu Nyarko, who was named Outstanding Woman in Stakeholder Engagement for her contribution to strengthening consumer complaint resolution systems and public sensitisation initiatives within the petroleum sector, and Maria Edith Oquaye, Director of Corporate Affairs, who received the Outstanding Woman in Corporate Communications award for excellence in strategic communication and brand stewardship.
The recognitions collectively highlight the growing impact of Ghanaian women in public and corporate leadership and reaffirm the role of principled governance, institutional accountability, and inclusive leadership in advancing sustainable national development.
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