Mindful Governance hosts Ghana’s first Company Secretaries’ Summit
Mindful Governance has successfully hosted the inaugural Company Secretaries’ Summit, bringing together company secretaries, board directors, legal practitioners and governance professionals from Ghana’s public, private and state-owned sectors. The landmark event took place on 16 July 2026 at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra under the theme “Governance as Value Creation.”
The summit established the country’s first dedicated national platform focused on advancing the governance profession while encouraging collaboration between board members and company secretaries responsible for shaping corporate decision-making.
Governance professionals recognised for strategic leadership
Founder and Managing Director of Mindful Governance, Catherine Engmann, explained that company secretaries play a critical role between boards, executive management and stakeholders. According to her, the summit was designed to reflect the strategic importance of professionals whose work directly influences board effectiveness, accountability and organisational success.
Registrar of Companies, Maame Samma Peprah, Esq., opened the summit by highlighting the growing influence of artificial intelligence in corporate governance. She noted that while AI can strengthen compliance monitoring and regulatory analysis, ethical judgement, professional independence and sound leadership remain irreplaceable.
She further stressed that effective governance has become a competitive advantage for organisations seeking investment and sustainable growth.
Artificial intelligence reshaping governance
International governance expert Karl George, MBE, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Governance AI, delivered the keynote address, introducing participants to the “Three A’s” of AI adoption—automation, augmentation and agency. He warned organisations against the growing risks associated with “shadow AI,” describing unauthorised AI tools used by employees as one of the most significant emerging governance threats.
George encouraged board members and governance professionals to improve their AI literacy, arguing that boards cannot effectively govern technologies they do not understand.
Governance is a driver of business success
Chief Executive Officer of Cyrus Law, Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei, Esq., challenged perceptions that governance slows organisational performance. She described governance as the steering wheel of every successful organisation rather than a handbrake, explaining that strong governance enables better decisions, transparency and long-term resilience.
She also cautioned that many corporate failures originate from boardrooms where independent voices are ignored or discouraged.
Sector-focused discussions and awards
The afternoon featured specialised breakout sessions for the private sector, state-owned enterprises and governance service providers. Facilitators shared practical experiences on regulatory compliance, board effectiveness and governance best practices.
The summit concluded with awards recognising outstanding governance professionals across three categories: Company Secretary of the Year (Private Sector), Rising Star (Emerging Professional) and Board Secretary of the Year (SOE/Public Sector). Six professionals received honours for their contributions to corporate governance excellence.
Mindful Governance announced that the Company Secretaries’ Summit and Awards will become an annual event aimed at strengthening governance standards and leadership across Ghana.
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