The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has called on women entrepreneurs to tap into business networks, digital literacy, training, and mentorship opportunities to boost their enterprises and create more jobs. This was made at a special Women in Business Session on the second day of the AGI's Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition 2026. The session aimed to promote women entrepreneurship and provide a platform for women entrepreneurs to interact and share experiences.
According to AGI's Chief Executive Officer, Seth Twum-Akwaboah, networking in business provides access to information, knowledge, partnerships, and opportunities that contribute to the growth of their businesses. He emphasized that this would help women entrepreneurs to strengthen their enterprises and create more jobs. The AGI has partnered with the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to provide bookkeeping training for members in various locations.
The training is designed to equip women entrepreneurs with proper skills essential for accessing various forms of business financing. Partners such as the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), GIZ, and Mastercard Foundation are supporting programmes aimed at empowering women and small businesses. The AGI is also planning to launch a Job Matching Platform developed by Ubuntu Technologies, with support from the Mastercard Foundation and in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth.
The platform will have a database of about 10,000 companies, provide information on available job vacancies, and connect job seekers with employment opportunities. This initiative aims to support women entrepreneurs and small businesses by providing them with access to job opportunities and markets. The Women in Business Session also heard from Madam Joyce Ababio, Founder of Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design.
Madam Ababio urged the entrepreneurs to build stronger connections between skills development, production, finance, technology, and markets for growth and economic transformation. She emphasized that training alone was not enough to build a strong industry and stressed the need to connect acquired skills with production and market opportunities. The session also featured a statement from Madam Vivian Owusu Asante on behalf of Madam Abigail Elorm Akwambea Mensah, CEO of MASLOC.
Madam Asante affirmed MASLOC's commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs, particularly those unable to meet the requirements of mainstream financial institutions. She said MASLOC could help entrepreneurs start from a smaller scale and subsequently support them to formalise their businesses. The three-day summit brought together government officials, trade institutions, financial entities, local authorities, private sector participants, tech companies, and investors to discuss issues affecting women-led businesses.
The summit provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges facing women entrepreneurs and explore opportunities for growth and development. The event also featured discussions on various themes, including innovating for growth and women driving Ghana's economic transformation. The AGI's initiative aims to support women entrepreneurs in leveraging networks, digital literacy, and other resources to boost their businesses.
Key points
- The Association of Ghana Industries urges women entrepreneurs to leverage business networks and digital literacy to strengthen their enterprises and create jobs.
- The AGI has partnered with MASLOC to provide bookkeeping training for women entrepreneurs to equip them with skills essential for accessing business financing.
- The AGI plans to launch a Job Matching Platform to connect job seekers with employment opportunities and support women entrepreneurs and small businesses.
