Esther Cobbah, Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Communications Africa Ltd (Stratcomm Africa), has called on female entrepreneurs to build brand presence and trust as foundational elements of long-term business success.
Speaking at the Africa Women’s Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation Programme 2026, organised by the Africa Women’s Leadership Academy in Accra, she emphasised that credibility, relevance, and excellence are the true currencies of leadership.
Esther Cobbah advised participants to understand themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the needs of their stakeholders and the contexts in which they operate.
“You cannot determine your relevance from your perspective alone. Your enterprise must solve problems that matter to others, not just one that only excites you,” she said.
Highlighting the importance of brand trust, Esther Cobbah stressed that it is built through consistent excellence and ethical conduct.
She encouraged entrepreneurs to deliver on their brand promise, align internal and external actions, anticipate challenges, and invest in crisis preparedness without compromising integrity.
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“Your reputation is shaped not only by what you achieve, but also by how you behave in crises,” she stated.
Esther Cobbah urged women founders to avoid shortcuts and focus on steady growth, strong systems, and capable teams.
She noted that continuous learning, self-renewal, and disciplined leadership are essential, emphasising that founders must evolve as their organisations expand.
“As your business grows, you must renew your thinking, your skills, and your capacity to develop others,” she advised.
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She also encouraged deliberate investment in teams, organisational culture, and governance structures, explaining that strong institutions outlive individuals and that true leadership is reflected in the ability to build systems that function effectively even in the founder’s absence.
JKB/EB
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