Farm implements, business support items, and educa­tional materials have been presented to some women’s groups in the Kumbungu and Tolon districts of the Northern Region as part of efforts to empower them through sustainable entrepreneur­ship and community development.

The items included polytanks, tricycles, deep freezers, grinding mills, soya planters, threshers, galvanised chain links, metal poles, Learning through Play Materials for children in the project commu­nities,

Tricycles donated to the beneficiaries

The rest were wellington boots, sets of smart television, personal protective equipment for honey producers, knapsack sprayers, gas cylinders, soya and snail dryers, packaging materials for snails, and honey.

The items were presented by Plan International Ghana in part­nership with the Women Integrat­ed Development Organisation, and Urbanet with funding support from the Global Affairs Canada.

It formed part of Women’s In­novation for Sustainable Enterpris­es (WISE) project and the benefi­ciaries were the project’s mentees, selected saving groups, and safe spaces.

The presentation formed part of activities to end the WISE project, which is a five-year initiative imple­mented in Northern, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions.

Mr Gbana Sulemana, Northern Programme Infuencing and Impact Area Manager, Plan International Ghana, speaking during the presen­tation of the items to the benefi­ciaries in Tamale, said it formed part of efforts to improve women’s agency and economic empower­ment.

The WISE project seeks to im­prove women’s agency to exercise decisions regarding their partic­ipation in economic growth and increased productivity, profitability and innovation of women-owned businesses.

Mr Sulemana also indicated that 12,641 women benefited directly from the project with 4,046 receiv­ing targeted support for agricultur­al and green business activities.

He said, “The items we are handing over to you are not just tools; they are symbols of your potential and the bright future that lies ahead.”

He continue that the project had led to growth in productiv­ity, profitability, and innovation amongst women-owned businesses, adding it had seen women take their decisions with confidence and authority.

Madam Bridgette Sheini, Head, Kumbungu District Business Advi­sory Centre of the Ghana Enter­prises Agency, commended Plan International Ghana and partners for championing women’s econom­ic growth and development.

She pledged to facilitate periodic supervision of the beneficiaries to ensure the sustainability of the project in the district.