The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Justina Nelson, has urged women in the financial services sector to build resilience, discipline and innovation in order to transform challenges into opportunities for growth and national development.
Speaking at the maiden Women in Finance Summit in Accra, Mrs Nelson said leadership, especially in times of uncertainty, requires courage, clarity and a strong sense of purpose.
The summit, held under the theme “Turning Obstacles into Gold: Unlocking Resilience and Leadership in Finance,” brought together senior executives, professionals and emerging leaders to discuss strategies for strengthening women’s leadership in the financial sector.
Mrs Nelson explained that resilience is essential for leaders navigating difficult circumstances.
“These circumstances could easily have been perceived as setbacks. However, leaders who remain steady under pressure are better positioned to make sound decisions, inspire confidence, and guide their institutions through complexity,” she said.
According to her, challenges should serve as opportunities for learning and growth rather than sources of discouragement. She stressed that resilience must be intentionally developed through self-awareness, adaptability, transparent communication and continuous learning.
Reflecting on her leadership journey, Mrs Nelson noted that her appointment to lead MIIF coincided with significant institutional and policy changes, including amendments to the MIIF Act which reduced the Fund’s statutory share of mineral royalties from 77.6 percent to 2 percent.
Despite these changes, she said the Fund has undertaken key reforms aimed at strengthening governance, improving risk management and integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into its investment decisions.
“These reforms have translated into growth,” she said, adding that MIIF recorded the highest growth in royalty inflows since its establishment while also improving profitability.
Mrs Nelson emphasized that leadership in managing Ghana’s mineral resources carries both economic and social responsibilities, stressing that transparency, accountability and sustainability must guide all investment decisions.
She also challenged financial sector leaders to align their work with the government’s RESET Agenda by focusing not only on financial returns but also on long-term national impact and intergenerational equity.
“The true test of leadership is not performance in stable times, but focus, clarity and character under extreme conditions,” she said.
Mrs Nelson further encouraged women in the finance sector to lead with courage and integrity while building institutions that promote inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity for future generations.
The Women in Finance Summit brought together stakeholders across the financial services industry to celebrate women’s leadership, share experiences and explore strategies for building resilient and inclusive institutions.
