Leadership you can trust
Growing up in the vibrant neighborhood of Osu, Accra, Irene Naa Torshie Addo never imagined that she’d become a prominent stateswoman whose journey nowadays towers the top echelons of Ghanaian politics and business.
She never imagined that one day, she would inspire millions of Ghanaians throughout the country—and the world—to drive historic change in their everyday lives.
At the core of Irene’s story is a belief not just in telling stories aligned with her values, but in living out those values, especially when it comes to strengthening the next generation of Ghanaians.
The Hon. Irene Addo was raised by parents whose humility, generosity and dedication impacted the choices she later espoused in life, prioritizing a life of stewardship aimed at making Ghana a leading country in the 21st century. The homespun values her family instilled in her—paired with her innate sense of optimism—compelled her to devote her life to serving Ghana and giving every Ghanaian, regardless of his or her background, the same chance Ghana gave her.
A passionate politician, sharp lawyer, savvy entrepreneur and experienced public servant with over three decades of political stewardship, The Hon. Irene Addo has spent her life challenging fellow Ghanaians to reconsider what “is” possible in terms of socio-economic development, and to ponder what “needs” to happen so that the desirable metamorphosis can promptly and fully materialize in the country.
Her brilliant professional odyssey epitomizes the choices she has been willing to make, and the chances she has been willing to take, in the last 30 years.
As Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) since 2017, she has spearheaded a bevy of initiatives that significantly contributed to inclusive economic development by enabling districts to manage public finances and deliver services more efficiently and effectively.
From 2009 to 2017, she honorably represented the great people of Tema West Constituency under the NPP flag.
From 2006 to 2008, Irene served as the Deputy Ambassador/Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ghana to the United States of America.
Before entering government, from 1996 to 2006, Irene was an Associate Lawyer at the Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co. Law Firm—which she joined after brilliantly completing her multidisciplinary law education at the University of Ghana, Legon (1994), Ghana School of Law (1996) and University of Warwick, USA (1999).
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Of all the things she has achieved so far in her astonishing life, Irene considers being a mother her greatest accomplishment.
Her life shows us that you don’t have to look a certain way or act a certain way to fit in; you don’t have to make a lot of money or come from a certain group or class or faith in order to matter. Each of us can write our own story. And when we share those stories with one another, we can lift each other up along the way.
That’s why, as a politician, The Hon. Irene Addo speaks candidly about her experiences as entrepreneur, lawyer, social advocate and philanthropist, telling her story in a way that empowers other Ghanaians to see the beauty in their own.
For Irene, the future is yet to be written.