Accra, March 17, GNA - Women leaders from 12 African Countries and Africans in the Diaspora after a two-day meeting in Accra on Wednesday launched a new leadership institute to promote the representation of women in leadership positions throughout the continent and the Diaspora. The mission of Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE) Institute for Empowerment and Leadership Development (WIELD) is to revolutionise the concept of leadership and move more women and girls into decision-making positions.

Mrs Violet Esi Awotwi, Executive Director of WISE, and founder of the new initiative, said the Institute would accomplish its mission through leadership development, mentoring, networking, advocacy, research and trans-formative service to society.

"The inspirational leaders who form WIELD's advisory Committee have outlined an exciting and innovative new program that has the potential to revolutionise the concept of leadership and move more women and girls into decision-making positions," said Mrs Awotwi.

The diverse WIELD Advisory Committee included representatives from six West African nations, two countries in Southern Africa, two East African nations and two countries in the African Diaspora. The Institute will identify and recruit a team of women and girls from Africa and the African Diaspora to serve as junior and senior fellows in the WIELD program.

"Our goal is to foster a cadre of women and girl leaders from Africa and the African Diaspora empowered to positively transform their societies," said Mrs Awotwi.