The Women and Youth Wing of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI-WAY), in collaboration with GIZ has organised a networking and partnership event for women and young entrepreneurs.
The event organised to commemorate the celebration of International Women's Day 2025 was dubbed "Accelerate Action: Financing Women-led Businesses."
It created synergies between women and young entrepreneurs and some selected financial institutions to enhance the entrepreneurs' understanding of available financial products, including digital solutions.
In Ghana, women-led Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are faced with challenges such as access to finance, business development services and ready markets.
The event sought to promote economic empowerment and entrepreneurship among women and youth in Ghana, to provide them with the needed support and networking opportunities to mitigate these challenges. brand International Women's Day (IWD) is a global celebration of women's achievements and a call to action for gender parity.
This year's theme, "For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment", emphasised the need for actions that unlock equal rights, and opportunities for all women and girls to foster a world where no one is left behind.
Dr. Emelia Assiakwa, First Vice President of GNCCI, stressed on the importance of the event, adding that "women face systemic barriers in terms of accessing financial resources. This has impeded women's full participation in the marketplace and from contributing to the economy".
Mr. Wilhelm Hugo, Cluster Coordinator for Sustainable Economic Development at GIZ Ghana, highlighted the significance of the interaction, indicating that the event was organised purposely to bridge the gap between financial institutions and digital solution providers, while creating tangible opportunities for business growth.
"On behalf of the German government, we are dedicated to fostering an ecosystem where women are not just beneficiaries, but powerful agents of change. As we connect and collaborate today, let us seize the opportunities before us to build a future where every woman can reach her full potential and contribute to sustainable economic development.", "he added.
The event featured presentations from banks on financial solutions available to women-owned businesses as well as an exhibition designed to facilitate interaction between financial institutions and women entrepreneurs.
The event was attended by women entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders.