Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye-Boakye is a distinguished officer of the Ghana Navy and a pioneering figure in Ghana’s security services. In 1996, she made history as the first woman to be enlisted into the Ghana Navy, an institution that had remained exclusively male since its establishment. Yet her journey was never driven by the ambition to break records; it was anchored in a quiet but firm decision to serve her country with seriousness, discipline, and excellence.
She hails from the Ashanti Region and grew up in Axim, a coastal town where structure, routine, and the presence of the sea subtly shaped her worldview. Her early education began at TI Ahmadiyya Secondary School in the Ashanti Region and later continued at the University of Ghana. Long before she wore a naval uniform, she had already internalised lessons of responsibility, effort, and accountability, principles that guided every step of her professional journey.
By the time she joined the Ghana Navy, Commodore Anokye-Boakye knew exactly what she was stepping into. She has consistently stated that she did not enlist to be treated differently because she was a woman. She joined to meet the same standards, do the same work, and carry the same weight as every other officer. In her words, the uniform does not recognise gender, it recognises performance. That belief became the foundation of her career.
There were no shortcuts. Her rise was shaped by demanding postings, long hours, and roles that required both competence and composure. She served in sensitive command and staff positions within the Ghana Navy and the wider Ghana Armed Forces, including Director of Defence Civilian Establishment, where she oversaw thousands of military and civilian staff. Her leadership earned her a reputation for firmness, preparedness, and reliability. When responsibility came, she did not shy away from it, she accepted it fully and delivered.
Her service extended beyond Ghana’s borders through international peacekeeping missions with the United Nations. She represented the country in several operations and rose to the role of Deputy Force Commander at the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Reflecting on that role, she has noted that every decision she made carried Ghana with it, not just her rank, but the flag she served under, emphasising that leadership at that level is built on trust, not authority alone. She also championed Ghana’s interests in protecting maritime resources as Coordinator of the Fisheries Enforcement Unit, highlighting her commitment to national security beyond military operations.
Her promotion to Commodore marked a significant institutional milestone. She became not only Ghana’s first female naval officer, but also the highest-ranking woman naval officer in the Ghana Armed Forces. Yet she has never framed this achievement as a triumph over men. For her, the true victory is when competence becomes normal rather than exceptional, and when excellence no longer surprises. Beyond her military roles, she has been a tireless advocate for women’s participation and leadership in peace, security, and governance. Through mentorship, public speaking, and engagement in international forums, she encourages young women to embrace opportunities in traditionally male-dominated fields, insisting that preparation and excellence are the keys to recognition.
Today, Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye-Boakye’s legacy is defined less by drama and more by discipline. She often tells younger women, “Don’t wait to be invited. Prepare yourself so well that you cannot be ignored.” Her story is a testament to consistency, resilience, and quiet determination. It is a reminder that history does not always change with noise, but sometimes with steady, unwavering resolve. Her impact resonates not only in the ranks of the Ghana Navy, but across broader conversations on women’s leadership, security, and the power of competence in shaping history.
