Young African Leaders Initiative Regional Leadership Center, (YALI RLC) at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, (GIMPA) Accra, has passed out about 29 Ghananian business women referred to as the first cohort of Academy of Women Entrepreneurs, (AWE) after 15 weeks of intensive training.
The women selected for the first cohort involved in various sectors, including cuisine, soap/cream/cake making, designing, entertainment, and fitness;
After an application and selection period by the implementing partner, YALI RLC, Ghana chapter.
In her remarks, The US Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan has indicated that, women are key in driving any economy when they run their own businesses.
According to her, women business owners contribute to, and drive Ghana’s economic prosperity, in both the informal and formal sectors.
She said “we know that when women succeed, children are healthier and better educated, and communities thrive”.
This principle is at the heart of the AWE program, she emphasised.
The Ambassador could not hide her joy as she stated that, “I’m really thrilled to be with you all today.
Just a few months ago, in June, I was honored to join U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Marie Royce, in launching the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (that has the best acronym ever: AWE) right here on the GIMPA campus.
We are all delighted that Ghana was selected as a pilot country for the AWE program”.
Ms. Sullivan could not forget to add that, “today you, AWE’s very first cohort in Ghana are concluding an incredible journey of acquiring new knowledge, skills, and the confidence to take your businesses to the next level”.
AWE is the State Department’s flagship program supporting the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP), launched by White House Advisor Ivanka Trump in February, right next door in Cote d’Ivoire.
W-GDP has the ambitious goal of reaching 50 million women worldwide to fulfill their economic potential.
Five participants received a cheque of Gh¢5,000 each as seed fund winers but in all, participatory certificates were given to all.
Background:
AWE was developed to support the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, which is designed to empower women worldwide to fulfill their economic potential, creating conditions for increased stability, security, and prosperity for all.
AWE, is supporting the growth of women entrepreneurs around the world, was established to augment the existing slate of projects focused on women and economic empowerment by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
The target is to reach 50 million women by 2025 by promoting an enabling environment that reduces barriers and facilitates women’s participation in the economy.
Story filed by Edzorna Francis Mensah
