Women Entrepreneurs launch 10th anniversary

Accra, Oct 3, GNA- The Ghana Association of Women Entrepreneurs (GAWE) on Friday called for the strengthening and promotion of the trade, especially among women entrepreneurs since that "holds the key to the development of the economy". The Association also called for the promotion of moderate interest and long-term capital investment to enable entrepreneurs to expand their businesses, make more money and be able to pay their taxes.

Speaking at the launch of activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Association, Mrs Lucia Quachey, President of GAWE said for women entrepreneurs in Africa or Ghana to be competitive, they must be exposed to appropriate trade links, technologies and communication skills. "Communication and technology play a vital role in doing business and improving products and services. It is an important and cost effective way to gather information for market and investment opportunities", Mrs Quachey said.

GAWE, established through the initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in 1993, is made up of more than 500 self-employed women manufacturers and exporters of goods and services. It aims at facilitating the development of women entrepreneurs through capacity building with support policies that would enhance active participation of Ghanaian women in both national and global economies. Activities lined up for the anniversary, included workshops, bazaars and exhibitions of products and services of members, float and fund raising dinner dance.

Mrs Quachey said amidst the impediments posed by communication and technology, GAWE has been able to design and implement projects to address constraints to women's ability to increase and improve production and quality of products and services. She identified the unstable inflation, devaluation of the currency and tax rate as some of the challenges impeding the progress of their businesses, adding that, "but now a lot is being done to strengthen the system".

She said the issue of affirmative action and the promotion of women's rights would be elusive if women were not economically empowered. "If a woman is economically sound, she can well cater for her children and effectively support her husband and might not totally depend on him", she said.