Samira Abdul Azeez, Esq., Deputy CEO of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, is a woman whose life reflects discipline, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
In an interview with Godwin Namboh on TV3’s The Afternoon Show on April 21, she shared insights into her personal life, career journey, and values that continue to shape her impact.
Describing her personality, she noted, “I am a homebody. I like to stay home and cool off. I am an early riser.” Despite her demanding career, she maintains a grounded lifestyle. “I do laundry and home chores myself. I like resting and staying out of trouble,” she added.
Born and raised in Ghana, she takes pride in her identity. “I grew up in Ghana. I am fully Ghanaian, born many years ago to wonderful parents,” she said. As an only child, she credits her parents for shaping her foundation. “I am an only child. I think my parents did their best to give me the best upbringing they could.”
Her educational journey reflects both exposure and determination. She began at Morning Star School and continued to Ghana Christian International High School, where she obtained her O Levels. She later attended the Canadian Independent College (CIC) for her provincial studies. She spent some time at Queen’s University in Canada before returning to Ghana to pursue a career in law. “I came back to Ghana to embark on a legal journey, and I’m a lawyer today,” she stated.
Interestingly, her career path evolved. “I wanted to be a pilot. Then, I later changed my mind to be an architect. Then, as time went on, I became a lawyer,” she revealed.
While she acknowledges the demands of her profession—“My hardest challenge is being a lawyer”—she has navigated it with resilience. Her experience also informs her views on national development. “The biggest challenges SMEs face are lack of funding, lack of access to markets, and lack of technical support,” she noted.
On leadership, she believes progress has been made, particularly for women. “Leadership is no more difficult for women recently,” she said.
Driven by high standards, she admits, “I get worried when I don’t excel at whatever I do.” For her, mediocrity is not acceptable. “Average is not enough. If you want to go far, you’ve got to work harder.”
Her passion for impact is evident in her work. “Public service is rewarding because you get the opportunity to serve your nation,” she explained. To her, success goes beyond personal achievement: “Success for me is ensuring a ripple effect of touching people’s lives more.”
Offering advice to the younger generation, she emphasised persistence and focus. “Stay focused, work hard, commit to something hard, and push until something happens,” she urged. She also expressed confidence in women’s potential: “Young women are excelling at whatever they set their minds to do.”
Drawing inspiration from scripture, she referenced her favourite Bible verse, Esther 4:14, using it as a message of purpose and encouragement. “As a woman, you should have it as a backbone that you exist for such a time as this,” she said.
She further highlighted the importance of community, stating that “having a strong support system is key.” At the core of her life are values she refuses to compromise. “Honesty, integrity, and excellence—anything that goes against my integrity, I won’t do, even if at gunpoint,” she affirmed.
Through her journey, Samira Abdul Azeez, Esq. stands as a strong example of discipline, resilience, and purposeful leadership—proving that true success lies not just in personal achievement but in the lasting impact one makes in the lives of others.
