Kathleen Flynn-Dapaah, Director of the Ghana Programme at the High Commission of Canada
Seth Twum-Akwaboah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has commended the Women’s Innovation for Sustainable Enterprises (WISE) project initiative for its transformative impact on women entrepreneurs in Ghana.
He emphasized the importance of women’s economic empowerment during the grand close-out ceremony of the project in Accra on February 5, 2025.
“When rights are realized, growth is imminent,” he said.
He highlighted the significance of WISE in equipping women with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to break barriers, expand their businesses, and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economy.
He also called on the government to institutionalize policies that promote women-specific entrepreneurship and address challenges such as limited access to finance and market entry barriers.
“Women’s economic empowerment hinges on equal access to resources, finance, and leadership opportunities. Strong mentorship networks and industry linkages foster sustainable enterprises, while skills development in technical, digital, and financial areas drives business resilience and innovation.
“However, lasting growth requires policies that protect and promote women’s rights, ensuring a fair and inclusive economic landscape. While today marks the official close-out of this project, it is by no means the end of the journey.
“If we are to sustain the momentum and ensure continued growth, there must be deliberate policy actions to institutionalize women’s economic empowerment. I take this opportunity to call on the government to design and implement women-specific entrepreneurial policies that enhance productivity and competitiveness.
“These policies should address challenges such as limited access to finance, market entry barriers, and structural inequalities that hinder women-owned businesses from thriving,” he added.
Other key speakers at the event echoed similar sentiments. Constant Tchona, Country Director of Plan International Ghana, described WISE as a gender-transformative initiative that tackled the root causes of inequality and economic exclusion for women.
He noted that over 14,000 women and 1,600 men were impacted through financial inclusion programmes, training in climate-smart agriculture, and community-based business hubs.
Kathleen Flynn-Dapaah, Director of the Ghana Programme at the High Commission of Canada, underscored Canada’s commitment to gender equality through its Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).
She applauded the resilience of the women entrepreneurs, particularly those who persevered through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event celebrated the legacy of WISE, emphasizing that while the project may have come to an end, its impact will resonate for generations.
The speakers urged all stakeholders, government, private sector, and civil society, to sustain and expand initiatives that foster women’s empowerment and inclusive development.
The WISE Project, launched in 2020, was implemented by Plan International Ghana and Plan International Canada, with support from Global Affairs Canada’s Innovation for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Ghana (IWEEG) initiative.
It focused on providing women with the tools and opportunities needed to succeed in business, ultimately reinforcing the belief that investing in women is an investment in the nation’s future.
AM/KA