Tamale: More than 60 women trade leaders from northern Ghana have strengthened their business networks and advocacy capacity through a series of Learning and Exchange Visits supported by the African Women's Development Fund (AWDF). The initiative, implemented by the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana) under its project titled 'Strengthening Women's Voice and Leadership in Agricultural Policy and Economic Justice in Northern Ghana', aims to promote women's leadership, entrepreneurship, and policy advocacy for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Learning and Exchange Visits created opportunities for women entrepreneurs to participate in major national and regional trade events, including the World Shea Expo, the Women's Entrepreneurship Conference, and the West African Trade Expo held in Tamale and Accra. These platforms provided participants with practical learning experiences, market exposure, and strategic partnerships designed to help women-led enterprises expand their visibility and competitiveness in local and regional markets.
Participants, drawn from diverse sectors such as shea butter processing, agro-processing, food packaging, textiles, and handicrafts, interacted with policymakers, development partners, and business leaders during the visits. They gained new insights into branding, digital marketing, business formalization, access to financial opportunities, and skills essential for scaling up their enterprises.
Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed, Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana, stated that the initiative formed part of the organization's broader goal of empowering women entrepreneurs to move beyond subsistence production and actively engage in national and regional trade ecosystems. She emphasized, "Through AWDF's support, we are equipping women with the confidence and knowledge to engage in high-level trade dialogues, influence policies, and strengthen their enterprises. This is about shifting women from the margins of economic activity to the centre of decision-making and trade leadership."
She further noted that for many of the women, the visits provided their first exposure to national and international trade platforms. One of the participants, Alhassan Zeinab, shared her experience, stating, "Attending the Shea Expo and the Women's Entrepreneurship Conference opened my eyes to how other women brand their products and negotiate with buyers. I've returned home inspired to rebrand my products and mentor others in my group."
