From spotlight to boardroom in a man’s world: Bibi Bright’s bold shift

By Christabel Danso ABEAM

For Bibi Bright, life has never followed a straight line. From acting and a passion for music to leading a corporate enterprise, her journey reflects resilience, reinvention and ambition.

“A simple Fante lady still dreaming and taking one step at a time,” she says, describing herself.

Today, Ms. Bright serves as Executive Director of Game Park Lottery and Game Park TV, operating in one of the country’s most male-dominated industries.

Growing up, she dreamed of becoming an air hostess. The elegance of the profession, the uniforms and the sense of travel and adventure fascinated her.

To pursue this ambition, she enrolled with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for aviation training. However, family expectations – a common reality in many African homes – intervened.

The aviation dream faded, but her determination to build something meaningful remained.

Ms. Bright entered the entertainment industry in 2010 after a designer spotted her potential. One opportunity led to another and, over time, she became one of Ghana’s recognised screen personalities.

She believes her experience in the entertainment sector played a significant role in shaping the disciplined, resilient and calculated leader she has become.

Corporate leadership in a male-dominated industry

Two years ago, Ms. Bright transitioned fully into corporate leadership at Game Park Lottery and Game Park TV – a company she says operates as the only female-led licensed lottery operator in the country under the regulation of the National Lottery Authority.

“The role is demanding. The company runs draws at 9am, 12 noon, 3pm and 6pm daily, all year round. Integrity and compliance are tightly monitored,” she says.

Reflecting on her two years at the helm, Ms. Bright notes that effective leadership is never a solo effort.

“An executive is dependent on the team. What people see is the leader, but there is a strong force behind the leader doing the work,” she said.

She works closely with operations, marketing and finance teams, making key decisions collectively. She also pays close attention to customer feedback and occasionally calls winners personally to resolve concerns.

Innovation, she says, remains central to her leadership approach as she seeks to position Game Park Lottery and Game Park TV as a bridge between traditional lottery operations and modern gaming culture.

Empowering the next woman

Beyond the corporate boardroom, Ms. Bright is also focused on supporting women through an initiative known as Empowered Women Empowers.

Under the programme, she has allocated approximately GH¢150,000 as seed capital for women traders in Kaneshie.

Beneficiaries repay only the amount borrowed, while profits generated from the fund are rolled forward to support other women.

She says the initiative was inspired by conversations with market women who borrow money daily just to purchase goods for sale.

“If I cannot help everyone, I can empower one woman to empower another,” she says.

As the world marks International Women’s Day, Ms. Bright believes Ghanaian women are increasingly redefining their roles in the professional space.

“We are more innovative, more focused and more intentional,” she says.

However, she does not frame the progress of women as a competition with men. Instead, she emphasises partnership, where both genders contribute effectively to national development.

Her advice to women who are already succeeding is simple: “Keep pushing”. And for those hesitant to step forward: “Dream bigger”.

Ms. Bright attended Achimota School before continuing her high school education in the United States. She later undertook aviation training with IATA, earned a degree in Public Administration and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Marketing at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

Her journey, she says, is not merely about change but about continuous growth and transformation. From the bright lights of film sets to the demands of the corporate boardroom, Ms. Bright has steadily evolved while embracing each new chapter with determination.

For her, every stage of life prepares one for the next.

“You never know who is watching,” she says. “So make every step count”.

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