International software company Microsoft has appointed Otema Yirenkyi as the country manager for its Ghana office.

With over 14 years’ experience in the ICT industry, Yirenkyi has become the first African female country manager for the software company in the West African nation.

She holds a BSc degree in Industrial and Labour Relations, as well as an MA in Development Studies.

Yirenkyi spoke to ITWeb Africa about her new role and some of the future plans she has for Microsoft Ghana.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: Can you tell us about what your new role entails?

OTEMA YIRENKYI: My role is to lead the Microsoft business in Ghana and that’s focused on government services, our corporate business and our consumer business. And serve as an ambassador for our brand, and obviously engage in different types of activities to support the development of ICT in Ghana.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: And just to get your background, what were you doing before you were appointed as the country manager for Microsoft Ghana?

OTEMA YIRENKYI: I was working at IBM Ghana and heading up a number of initiatives specifically on business development type activities within our team as well as working on the strategic initiatives across Africa and the development of innovation research centres.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: Can you talk me through some of the plans that you have for the Ghana operations as the new country manager?

OTEMA YIRENKYI: One of the first steps that we need to do is to grow our team and second is to drive services and devices into the Ghanaian market and we’ve just launched Office 365 in Ghana to much great excitement and also looking at driving uptake of devices.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: How does it feel to be first female country manager for Microsoft in Ghana?

OTEMA YIRENKYI: I think it’s an exciting time both in the country and for me and I think and also hope it would help other women pursue careers in technology is also a platform to venture into.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: Microsoft has only now appointed an African female to this position. What do you think of that?

OTEMA YIRENKYI: I’m very grateful and very excited that I’ve been selected to lead the Microsoft team in Ghana and I think it shows Microsoft’s determined to show diversity across markets.