GNPC Foundation empowers 40 women in Western Region

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation has provided livelihood support to more than 40 women fishmongers and fish processors in the Western Region to boost their businesses and strengthen coastal economies.

The beneficiaries, drawn from Ngyiresia, European Town, Sekondi, Apewosika, Ekuase and Nkontompo in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly and the Nzema East Municipal Assembly, received financial assistance under the Foundation's Women Fishmongers and Processors Livelihood Support Project.

The initiative, being implemented by the Enterprise and Livelihood Development Department of the GNPC Foundation, is aimed at addressing challenges of limited access to capital, business knowledge and markets that constrain women in the fisheries value chain.

Beyond the financial support, the beneficiaries were trained in business management, financial literacy, responsible fund management, improved fish handling and preservation.

The Foundation said the project operates a revolving fund model, which will enable repayments to support additional women over time.

It is also facilitating market linkages, enterprise mentoring and environmental sanitation, including the provision of refuse bins to promote cleanliness at the landing beaches and processing sites.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission and GCB Bank.

The pilot phase, which will last for two calendar months, will be extended to all coastal communities in Ghana after evaluation.

Helga J.M. Boadi, Managing Director of the GNPC Foundation, said the Foundation remained committed to investing in women, strengthening local enterprises and building resilient coastal communities, one livelihood at a time.