Women entrepreneurs challenged to grow their businesses through digitalization

Female entrepreneurs in Ghana have been challenged to leverage the benefits of the ever-expanding digital space to grow their businesses.

At a ceremony in Accra on July 5, 2023, to unveil the nominees for the 3rd edition of the Women in Entrepreneurship Awards (WIEA), a host of speakers who spoke on the theme "Digitalization: Scaling-up Businesses in Economic Crisis" urged women entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities available in the digital space in the face of the current economic crisis.

Guest Speaker for the event, Prof. Mrs. Goski Alabi, noted that digitalization in businesses serves as a flexible and transparent management tool that helps every entrepreneur to grow their business.

"What technology or digitization does is that it provides us with two key things: the first is flexibility in business, and the second is transparency in business. Digitization can help us to be more flexible to provide quality service that has significance... So digitization and scaling-up should provide us the opportunity for service with significance."

"A lot of the time, our businesses fail not because the idea is not good enough, but the idea may not be adding anything significant to what already exists," she outlined.

She further urged female entrepreneurs to learn to manage change in their fields by adopting current trends through technology.

The Chief Executive Officer of Hair Senta, Mrs. Gwyneth Gyimah Addo, encouraged entrepreneurs to be innovative in times of crisis and noted the opportunities offered by technologies such as social media.

Using her business as an example, she highlighted how she was able to navigate through the COVID-19 era.

"I told you about the fact that I had to remember who Hair Senta was; we were a brand purely built on social media, digital technology. So if such a crisis has happened, is it really the time to close shop like everybody else? Our store is online, we still do exist, we still can work. So I had to constantly remind myself and my team who we were and then push the agenda," she said.

The Project Coordinator of Pocketi, a fintech platform, Victoria Boafo Asante, also called on female entrepreneurs to see opportunities in adversities while paying serious attention to the financial management aspect of their businesses.

On the issue of financial management, the Head of Women's Desk at Ecobank Ghana, Dr. Loretta Sarpong, enlightened the attendees about the bank's Ellevate policy, tailor-made for women entrepreneurs.

According to her, there is a need for entrepreneurs to realize the need for utilizing digital tools.

"Any account we open for you, we give you digital solutions. COVID has taught us better that if you want to be in business; if you want to be relevant in this 21st Century, your business must be digitized, or else you die," she emphasized.

Aimed at celebrating industrious women in Ghana, WIEA was launched in 2021 and has since awarded women making exploits in several business fields across the country.



Speaking in an interview with the General Manager for WIEA, Emma-Marie Deeku, emphasized the need to recognize hardworking female entrepreneurs in the country.

"WIEA seeks to recognize hardworking women entrepreneurs in Ghana. We do not only recognize them, but we also give them recognition awards. Last year, WIEA did not only award the winner but also gave recognition certificates to about 120 nominees. This year we are looking forward to doing the same because it is not just about awarding but also recognition all over," she noted.

Ahead of this year's award ceremony, the scheme has set out to recognize 100 women entrepreneurs across the country.

Some beneficiaries include Oheneyere Gifty Anti, who is the chairperson of WIEA. Delivering her address at the nominees unveiling and Ellevate summit, Oheneyere Gifty Anti challenged women entrepreneurs to avoid being complacent.

"Receiving an honor, and I say this as somebody who has over sixty awards to my name, is not just about the award but what it means. Every time you are honored, it means we are watching you; we expect more from you. It doesn't mean that you have arrived; it means that you have a lot more to do. So it is an honor to be nominated, and on the day when you win the award, it will be an extra burden on you to do more. So congratulations to all of you," she told the nominees.

In all, over 100 female entrepreneurs were announced as nominees for various categories in the 2023 WIEA. At the event, a special awards scheme aimed at honoring exceptional young Ghanaians was also launched.

Dubbed the Exceptional Under 25 Awards, the scheme targets Ghanaians under the age of 25 who are making exploits in various fields.

Speaking about the youth-targeted scheme, Emma-Marie Deeku said the organizers hope to shine a light on exceptional young Ghanaians to empower them.

"We want to recognize the youngsters out there to let them know that yes, we see them. It's not always about the old people," she said.

Board members of the new Exceptional Under 25 Awards include award-winning blogger Kobby Kyei, Jambo of Lizjambo enterprise the chairperson of Exceptional under 25, Dr. Kwabena Amponsah Koduah, Miss Sylvia Tweneboah-Koduah CEO, and Miss Emma-Marie Deeku Senior Steward.

See full list of WIEA 2023 nominees below:

WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Ruth nana Amissah

Judith Amoabeng

Lesley Aidoo Mensah

Jahzara Agyemang

Fredaline Asiedu

Pearl Obenewaa Sackey

Gwen Addo

Nina Kwadanaab

Barbara Narkie Afadi

Priscilla Mawuena Abotsi

Patience Akatu

Taneka Kahilia Sawadogo

Ernestina Oware

Eyetsa Lorraine Ocloo

Alberta Ablordeppey

Annie Vidzah

WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR UNDER 25 OF THE YEAR

Elizabeth Oti Ameyaa

Maame Dufie Akosah-Yiadom

Ruby Mankoe

Atwere Princess Yeboah

Sasha Amanfu

STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Belinda Obour Mensah

Winnifred Effah-Pokuah

Gifty Frimpong

Mary Boakye

Amina Musah

Magdaline Comfort Asirifi

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Ubigid

Princess Jewel Andy-Asare

Mary Amponsah

Patience Akatu

Ivana M Cobbinah

Sandra Bentil

Dora Vander Bosscher

Pearl Obenewaa Sackey

PERSON WITH DISABILITY (PWD) ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Justine Ohemaa Afia Mauda

Akosua Joyce

MADE IN GHANA PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Selina Bebaako Mensah

Honorable Couture (Adlyne Oforiwaa Ennuson)

Shirely Irene Thompson

Afia Kwakyewaa Agyapong Kwakye

May Senam Gblorkpor

Awakn Black Soap (Janet Nyarko)

Princess Ama Burland

Ruby Mudey

FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Nana Baaba Fynnba Quartey

Emmanuella Lamisi Safian

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Lesley Aidoo Mensah

Dorothy Afi Amelor

Shirely Irene Thompson

Narkie Nartey

Joyce Apoasaan Jambeidu

Awurama Kena-Asiedu

Anita Tetteh

AGRI-WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Princess Jewel Andy-Asare

Nana Baaba Fynnba Quartey

Edna Ama Mensah

MOST PROMISING ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Love Emefa Blebu-Honu

Elizabeth Agyapong

Veronica Agbosu

Semabiah Charlotte

Akosuah fremah

Rev.Dr.Jennifer Donkor

Bintu Abdul Rahman

Alice Frimpomaa Boateng

Joyce Apoasaan Jambeidu

Abigail Sefa Bonsu

Dr Samuela Bediako

Bernice Effah Adjei

Anita Tetteh

Janrita Serwaa Sefa

Naana Adobea Yeboah

Veronica Adjoa Ocansey

Duru Ijeoma ifeyinwa

Elizabeth Baabotin

Atwere Princess Yeboah

Janet Nyarko

Elizabeth Adarkwa Yiadom

Gettyberth Anointin

Veronica Ewode Agbosu

Alberta Makafui Adortsu

HEALTH & WELL-BEING ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Patience Serwaa Okrah

Dr Hannah-Lisa Tetteh

Akua Boatemaa Oppong-Attah

Dr Mary Dede Ansong

Magdaline Comfort Asirifi

REAL-ESTATE DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR

Ruth nana Amissah

Cassie Serwaa

FOOD ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Georgia Ginger Owusu Aniwaa

Doris Kronzu

Salomey Fafali Opoku-Agyemang

Adwoa Banson

Mrs Adeleine Amegbedzi

Emma Osei Dankwa

Abigail Adu Poku

Jessie Yartey

Ornella Sparks

Mfonabasi Utibe Udofia

Nana Aba Konamah Lartey

BEVERAGE BRAND OF THE YEAR

Akoma Brew

Patience Tamara Yormesah

Barbara Narkie Afadi

Victoria Yaa Asantewaa Katamani

Abigail Akua Addae-Williams

Veronica Adjoa Ocansey

FASHION ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Annie Vidzah

Lois Fordjour

Thirrienne Apetsi

Selina Bebaako Mensah

Fredaline Asiedu

Dede Doe

Ulgar Appertey

Hilda Elikem Ameen

EmpressMAK Clothing

Gifty Quarcoo

BEAUTY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Albertha Bossman

Loretta Adusu

Ghislaine Nana Akua Boateng

Hilda Amankwah Yeboah

Kpogli Thywill

Elizabeth Baabotin

Princess Ama Burland

Shulamite Kuntu Blankson

Rhoda Asante

CREATIVE INDUSTRY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Ann Boakye Agyemang

Justine Ohemaa Afia Mauda

Deborah Osei

Adlyne Oforiwaa Ennuson

Abimbola Bashiru-Salako

Annie Offeogbu

Ernestina Oware

MICRO/ SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Elizabeth Agyapong

Mina Asibu

Shulammite Abena Arkoh

Rachael Dedei Attoh

Jennifer Nana Akua Sarpong

Esther Bangbenu

Vicentia Esinam Bedzo

Asare joyce

Lily Oware

Christabel Ofori

Peace Afi Dogbatsey

MEDIUM/LARGE BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Nana Aba Konamah Lartey

Marita Adjovu

Franklina Amoro

Akua Aboabea Aboah

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Rachael Mensah

Hanna Atiase

Esther Addo

Franklina Amoro

SCALE-UP ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Judith Amoabeng

Alice Frimpong Sarkodie

Rita Duah

Tiffany Kpornu-Dawson

BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

Rev.Dr.Jennifer Donkor

Agyeiwaa

Esther Naa Ankrah

Sandra Darkoa Ofori

FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

Ernestina Arhin Mensah

Georgia Ginger Owusu Aniwaa

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Mrs Patience Abekah

Serwah Siaw

MOST INSPIRING WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR

Grace Quarshie

Marie-Victorie Amuzu

Joyce Idun

Christiana Enyonam Attipoe

Deladem Agartha Mensah