Unilever Ghana Appoints Setutsi Goka Ivowi to Board — Strengthening Corporate Governance and Strategy

Strong Leadership Appointments at Unilever Ghana

Unilever Ghana Plc has announced the appointment of Setutsi Goka Ivowi, popularly known as Tucci Ivowi, as a Non-Executive Director, effective October 1, 2025. The appointment forms part of the company’s wider effort to reinforce corporate governance and enhance strategic oversight by including accomplished professionals with diverse industry experience.

Unilever Ghana, one of the country’s leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange, is a key contributor to local manufacturing, employment, and tax revenue. Strengthening its leadership is therefore of national importance.

The move reflects a growing trend among Ghanaian and African corporations to deepen governance and diversify their boards with individuals who combine international exposure with local insight. As businesses across Africa face increasing economic headwinds and regulatory challenges, such appointments are seen as critical to building resilience and sustaining growth.

Profile: Tucci Ivowi’s Career and Experience

Mrs. Ivowi brings over 20 years of experience in marketing, brand management, and business leadership across the consumer goods and manufacturing sectors.

She most recently served as *Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX), where she oversaw the transformation of the institution into a key platform for agricultural trade and value chain efficiency. Under her leadership, the Exchange expanded access to structured markets for smallholder farmers, improving transparency and fair pricing in Ghana’s commodity sector. She also played a pivotal role in establishing the *AfCFTA Association of Commodities Exchanges, aimed at strengthening trade integration across Africa.

Before her time at GCX, Mrs. Ivowi built a distinguished career at *Nestlé Central & West Africa Ltd., becoming the first Ghanaian and first woman to serve as *Business Executive Officer (Executive Director) for the region. She managed operations across 22 African countries, driving market expansion, innovation, and purpose-driven growth.

Her earlier experience includes work with Unilever and British American Tobacco as a marketing consultant and agency partner, where she developed a deep understanding of consumer psychology and brand engagement—skills that continue to shape her approach to business transformation and governance.

Mrs. Ivowi’s appointment is part of a wider leadership renewal at Unilever Ghana. The company also announced the inclusion of *Angela Kyeremanten-Jimoh, **Peterson Ekow Afedzie, and *Djabanor Narh as Non-Executive Directors, all effective October 1, 2025.

These appointments follow the resignation of Philip Sowah and Edith Dankwa from the Board on September 30, 2025. Unilever Ghana described the changes as part of its continued commitment to strong leadership and the pursuit of diverse perspectives as it enters a new growth phase.

Ghana’s FMCG industry is navigating a period of significant transformation. Rising inflation, currency depreciation, and shifting consumer preferences have increased pressure on companies to adapt their pricing, sourcing, and product strategies. At the same time, Ghana’s expanding middle class and digital retail channels present new growth opportunities.

Against this backdrop, Unilever Ghana’s refreshed Board is expected to bring renewed strategic direction. Members like Mrs. Ivowi—with experience in trade systems, marketing strategy, and governance—are well positioned to guide the company through these market complexities.

Mrs. Ivowi’s work at the Ghana Commodity Exchange offers a practical link between the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. By improving access to reliable markets and fair prices for smallholder farmers, she helped strengthen local supply chains that feed into industries like food processing and packaged goods—sectors in which Unilever Ghana plays a dominant role.

For example, cocoa, maize, and soybean farmers who gained access to the GCX under her leadership can now benefit from improved price stability and market efficiency, indirectly supporting the sustainability of Ghana’s manufacturing sector. Her understanding of these linkages will be valuable as Unilever Ghana continues to source locally and promote sustainable supply chains.

Implications for Stakeholders

• For shareholders and investors: The appointments may increase confidence in Unilever Ghana’s governance standards, enhancing transparency and accountability.
• For consumers: Leaders with strong consumer and market insights are likely to shape product strategies that better meet Ghanaian needs and preferences.
• For the broader economy: The inclusion of experienced Ghanaian professionals at the board level demonstrates growing confidence in local expertise and leadership capacity. It also signals the integration of more African perspectives into multinational decision-making.

The addition of Setutsi Goka Ivowi and other accomplished professionals to Unilever Ghana’s Board represents more than a routine leadership change—it underscores a strategic shift toward stronger governance, innovation, and sustainability.

As Ghana’s economic landscape evolves, the success of such appointments will be measured by how effectively the new Board translates its collective experience into meaningful growth and long-term value for shareholders, consumers, and the wider Ghanaian economy.

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