Samira Abdul-Azeez is Deputy CEO of Ghana Enterprises Agency
President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Samira Abdul-Azeez, a distinguished legal practitioner, as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA).
The announcement, made on Friday, February 21, 2025, reaffirms the president’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector an essential pillar of the country’s economic development.
Samira Abdul-Azeez, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Courts of Ghana and The Gambia, brings a wealth of expertise in business law, corporate transactions, and intellectual property law. Her reputation in legal advisory, compliance, and business risk management positions her as a strategic addition to the GEA’s leadership.
Her appointment follows Margaret Ansei’s designation as Acting CEO in January 2025, further fortifying the agency’s leadership as it champions entrepreneurship and business development across Ghana.
The GEA, established under the Ghana Enterprises Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1043), is responsible for supporting MSMEs through business development programs, financial access, and entrepreneurship training.
Abdul-Azeez’s extensive background in corporate governance, contract management, and strategic leadership is expected to enhance the agency’s mission.
Before her appointment, she served as Head of Legal at the Melcom Group of Companies, where she played a pivotal role in establishing and leading the legal department.
She oversaw corporate compliance, regulatory affairs, and risk management across the company’s six subsidiaries, making her well-versed in addressing the practical challenges faced by businesses, particularly MSMEs.
Abdul-Azeez holds an Executive Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). She has also earned certifications in FIDIC Construction Law, Corporate Compliance, Intellectual Property, and Public Speaking.
Her international training in the USA and Switzerland provides her with a global perspective, which will be invaluable as the GEA collaborates with international partners, including the World Bank and the Mastercard Foundation, on projects like the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP) and the Business in a Box (BizBox) initiative.
Her legal career spans roles as a trainee lawyer at Puozuing & Associates, where she advised on business and commercial matters, and as an International Associate at Ayine & Partners, managing transnational corporate transactions and intellectual property enforcement.
These experiences have refined her skills in negotiation, compliance assessment, and risk management key attributes for her new role at GEA.
Beyond her professional achievements, Abdul-Azeez is an active member of the Ghana Bar Association, the African Bar Association, and the African Women Lawyers Association.
She has also held leadership roles, including serving as Chief Justice of the GIMPA SRC Judicial Council and speaking at the Model United Nations.
Her participation in high-profile events, such as the World Bank Ghana Fiduciary Workshop and the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, highlights her influence as a thought leader in legal and business development circles.
As Deputy CEO, Abdul-Azeez will collaborate with Acting CEO Margaret Ansei to drive the GEA’s initiatives, with a focus on youth and women entrepreneurship programs and post-COVID recovery efforts.