Ghana boasts the highest percentage of women business owners at 46.4%, according to the second edition of the Mastercard Index of Women's Entrepreneurship (MIWE).

Factors contributing to this statistics are not entirely positive as many women start-ups lose focus and determination. 

Chief Executive Director of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Afua Asabea Asare, is urging women to pursue entrepreneurship with determination and take advantage of available opportunities.

Females in entrepreneurship are significant to Ghana’s socio-economic development. But due to the lack of entrepreneurial role models, training and business motivation, many women do not realise the highest potential of their businesses. 

The Chief Executive Officer for the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Afua Asaabea Asare, speaking at the Ashanti Regional Women Icon 2023 ceremony, encouraged women entrepreneurs to take advantage of existing opportunities. 

The market event aimed to showcase products and services made in Ghana by women-owned enterprises, to identify potential exporters.

The participants will receive support and guidance to transition into the export space through GEPA exports school guidance. 

“Per what we heard, you could be from anywhere, but if you are determined as a woman, you have every opportunity to excel. Through this, we are supporting women because they are the ones at the forefront of trading yet most are afraid of scaling it up. 

“We are encouraging the women and motivating them daring and determined. And also to attend our export school to learn about packaging, even the content and we do this with the Ghana Standard Authority and Food and Drugs Authority. We need to support women to scale and let them go international. If they want to go they need to understand the international market,” Afua Asaabea Asare said. 

Janet Abobigu, CEO of Uni-Jay Company, who received the Ashanti Regional Woman Icon for 2023, explaining her hard business journey, urged women to pursue additional technical skills to facilitate their entrepreneurial dreams. 

“The journey hasn't been easy. At times, you feel like quitting. But one ought to have self-power to be able to withstand the storm. I started in diverse ways by serving others even in the classroom. But with time I have been able to train over 250 people, some even for free. Every woman can do it. One just has to follow the dream. Without art, there's no wealth. I believe TVET is the key to entrepreneurship. And I would encourage people to use their hobbies or art as their wealth. I would advise that after the degrees, one should add some skills,” she said. 

The honouring ceremony included a market and an exhibition of Ghana-made products by women entrepreneurs. 

Participants who shared their experiences indicated the market event will help them improve their business standards. 

“Having the opportunity to come to this exhibition means a lot. You get to network, see and talk to people from different regions, brands, design, and business fields. This will help you to enhance yourself and your business and also attract new customers,” said Philomena Atina of Atina Beards.