Accra: Dr. Emelia Assiakwa, First Vice-President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), has called on the government to extend targeted support to women-owned agro-processing businesses to ensure their success under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Dr. Assiakwa emphasized the crucial role women play in economic growth and highlighted the need to address challenges such as limited access to funding and markets that these entrepreneurs face.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Assiakwa shared her insights during the GNCCI International Women's Day Celebration, which was organized in collaboration with the GIZ Trade Hub. The event aimed to explore funding opportunities for women entrepreneurs and brought together financial institutions and women business owners to facilitate networking and access to capital.
The GNCCI Vice-President underscored the significance of adding value to raw materials and establishing business hubs for processing. Such developments, she noted, would create employment opportunities, particularly for young people. She pointed out that overcoming challenges in accessing funding-due to high interest rates and stringent collateral requirements-is vital for the growth of women-owned businesses.
Dr. Assiakwa also expressed support for the government's plan to establish a women's bank, urging for policies that would address these financial barriers. She conveyed optimism that the bank would alleviate collateral constraints and foster a cooperative approach where individuals or groups guarantee for each other.
Miss Sophia Kamarudeen, Country Component Lead at GIZ, highlighted her organisation's efforts to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs in Ghana, especially in the agribusiness sector. She noted GIZ's strong regional presence, including significant programmes in Wa, which support agricultural enterprises through digitalisation, private sector partnerships, and microfinance initiatives. These efforts aim to bridge the financial gap for women in agribusiness, promoting growth and economic empowerment across sectors and company sizes.
