Christiana Ashley, Deputy Head of Marketing at the National Sports Authority and President of the Ghana Chess Association, has returned from the United Kingdom with a renewed commitment to advancing women’s leadership in sports following her participation in the 2026 Women’s Sport Leadership Academy (WSLA).
The week-long intensive programme, held from August 23 to 28 at the University of Chichester’s Bishop Otter Campus, brought together female sports administrators from diverse countries, sporting disciplines and professional backgrounds for leadership development, knowledge exchange and networking. Her participation was made possible through the support of the Women in Sports Commission, the Ghana Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee.
A Call to Duty
For Mrs Ashley, the experience was both a professional milestone and a call to duty. She described the programme as transformative, challenging her to look beyond the positions she holds and examine her identity, purpose and impact as a leader.
“WSLA challenged me to look beyond the position I hold and to examine who I am as a leader, why I lead, how I lead and, most importantly, the impact I want my leadership to have on others,” she said.
“I am leaving the programme with greater confidence, stronger self-awareness and a renewed commitment to supporting women and emerging leaders within sport.”
Leadership Beyond Titles
A key takeaway from the academy, according to Mrs Ashley, was that effective leadership transcends formal positions. Participants explored themes including belonging and leadership identity, authentic self, service to others, finding and sharing one’s leadership story, and daring greatly.
The programme encouraged deep reflection on values, leadership behaviours and responsibilities to the communities they serve. Mrs Ashley described the diverse international cohort as one of the defining features of the academy, offering opportunities to exchange experiences shaped by different sporting systems and cultures.
“The knowledge and relationships gained will not remain with me; I intend to share and apply them within my organisation and the wider sporting community,” she emphasised.
Courage and Service
Among the most valuable lessons was the connection between authenticity and courageous leadership. Participants were challenged to step outside their comfort zones, embrace vulnerability and take purposeful action even in uncertain situations.
Mrs Ashley said she now understands that vulnerability can foster trust and connection, while courage is essential for leaders seeking to challenge existing practices and create opportunities for others. The concept of leadership as service also resonated deeply, with participants encouraged to focus not only on personal development but also on mentoring and creating pathways for others.
Knowledge Transfer and Future Plans
Mrs Ashley rated her overall satisfaction with the programme nine out of ten, citing improved leadership confidence, self-awareness, communication skills, strategic thinking and professional networking as key outcomes.
She intends to apply the knowledge gained through her work at the National Sports Authority and her leadership of the Ghana Chess Association in areas including strengthening decision-making, improving stakeholder engagement, mentoring emerging leaders and promoting greater participation of women in sports.
She also plans to remain connected with the wider WSLA alumni community to sustain collaboration and knowledge exchange.
“The true value of an opportunity such as WSLA is measured not only by what the participant gains, but by what is given back. I am committed to ensuring that the knowledge, skills and networks I have gained contribute to positive change within Ghanaian sport,” she stated.
Appreciation
Mrs Ashley expressed gratitude to the Women in Sports Commission, Ghana Olympic Committee, National Sports Authority and International Olympic Committee for their confidence and support. She also acknowledged the University of Chichester, Leading Edge Performance, facilitators, guest speakers and fellow participants for creating an inspiring learning environment.
“I am deeply grateful to everyone who believed in my potential and supported this opportunity. Their investment in my development comes with a responsibility, and I am committed to ensuring that the benefits extend beyond me to the people, organisations and sporting communities I serve,” she said.
Mrs Ashley continues to champion leadership development, sports promotion and the advancement of opportunities for women and young people through her professional work and leadership of the Ghana Chess Association.
