Over 20 young women entrepreneurs and startups have been honoured at the 2022 edition of the Women In Entrepreneurship Awards (WIEA), a scheme that empowers and recognises the strong impactful effort by some women in the business industry.

WIEA is organised by the Women In Entrepreneurship Ghana (WIEG) and seeks to showcase women-owned enterprises and celebrate women entrepreneurs from conceivable industries, and in the process shine a national light on their priceless work which improves many lives in Ghana.

WIEA 2022, which was chaired by Veteran Ghanaian Journalist, Oheneyere Gifty Anti, was supported by ‘Ecobank Ellevate Programme’ and Tasty Tom.

Miss Mariam Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of Mimi’s Skincare & Spa won the ultimate Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, whereas, Judith Owusu grabbed the ‘Student Entrepreneur of the Year'.

Others include Bridget Sefa Boakye, Most Promising Entrepreneur of the Year’, Emmanuella Boatemaa Asaw, ‘Made in Ghana Product of the Year’, Yaa Birago Osei Asibey, ‘Creative Industry Entrepreneur of the Year’, Joyce Konadu, ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year’, Precious Valentine, ‘Innovative Business of the Year’, Ruth Nana Amissah, ‘Real Estate Developer of the Year’, Nana Baaba Fynnba Quartey, ‘Agri-Woman of the Year’, Aisha Mohammed, ‘Business Support Organization of the Year’, and Emmanuella Ukoha, ‘Family Business of the Year’.

Speaking at the event, Miss Sylvia Tweneboah-Koduah, President of WIEG noted that the scheme sought to encourage more women to embrace entrepreneurship as a tool for economic empowerment.

She said Ghana needed more entrepreneurs and sustainable businesses to strengthen the economy and curb the unemployment situation in the country.

Miss Tweneboah-Koduah, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of WIEA, therefore encouraged young women to identify their potential and make a business out of it.

The CEO revealed that one of the key highlights of WIEA 2022 was to recognize other nominees who could not win the main award in their respective categories, the reason being that, they were not just nominees but also winners.

Dr Loretta Sarpong, Head of Ellevate Desk at Ecobank Ghana PLC, who described the initiative as laudable, added that empowering young people, especially girls, could help build a more equitable community.

She said women in society played vital roles, hence, in recognition; Ecobank has created a desk for businesses owned by women and women-focused businesses; businesses with 20% female employees or companies producing/manufacturing for women.

Dr Sarpong said the Bank is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs and is willing to provide financial and non-financial support.

Judith Owusu, one of the awardees, who grabbed the ‘Student Entrepreneur of the Year’ award, expressed gratitude to the organizers for recognizing her effort.

She was hopeful that the recognition would throw more light on her business which is mainly skincare products, so potential customers could patronize her items to be able to expand the business.