Accra: Dr. Mrs. Emelia Asiakwa, First Vice-President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), has called for increased investment in women to accelerate economic growth and promote inclusive development. She emphasized that empowering women is not only a social justice issue but also a crucial economic strategy, as women play a significant role in Ghana's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Asiakwa made this appeal during an event marking International Women's Day, themed 'Rights, Justice, Action for All Women,' with a focus on investing in women to promote economic growth. The event was organized in partnership with Trademark Africa.
Dr. Asiakwa highlighted that women operate a significant number of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, contributing to job creation, household income, and national development. She noted that evidence shows when women succeed economically, they reinvest in their families, particularly in education and health, strengthening communities and improving social outcomes.
Despite these contributions, Dr. Asiakwa pointed out the persistent challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, such as limited access to finance, market constraints, regulatory bottlenecks, and underrepresentation in leadership and decision-making roles. She also raised concerns about security risks in cross-border trade, advocating for stronger collaboration among governments, security agencies, and trade institutions to ensure safe trading environments.
Dr. Asiakwa observed that women-owned businesses have the potential to boost domestic revenue mobilization, expand the tax base, and drive innovation if provided with necessary support. She explained that the program aims to equip women with practical skills in entrepreneurship, financial management, and business development while enhancing their access to finance and markets.
"The initiative aims to strengthen dialogue between policymakers, financial institutions, and women entrepreneurs to address structural barriers to business growth," she added. Dr. Asiakwa urged stakeholders to leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand women's participation in regional and international trade.
She called for collective action from the government, financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector to create an enabling environment for women-led enterprises. "Empowering women will lead to business growth, stronger families, and more resilient communities, ultimately contributing to sustainable national development," she stated.
Madam Harriet Gayi, Director for West Africa and AfCFTA at TradeMark Africa, emphasized that investing in women is crucial for driving inclusive economic growth. She shared insights from her recent engagement with women traders in Togo under the 'Make Trade Work for Women in West Africa' project, highlighting the daily realities women face in pursuing livelihoods.
Ms. Gayi stressed the need for gender-inclusive trade policies, improved border systems, and stronger partnerships to create a more enabling environment for women-led businesses. She also underscored the importance of ensuring that women and youth fully benefit from opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
She urged stakeholders to use the platform provided by the program, organized in partnership with the GNCCI, to make concrete commitments, build partnerships, and take action to advance women's economic empowerment.