Women In Entrepreneurship Ghana (WIEG) has honoured over 20 young women entrepreneurs and start-ups at the 2022 edition of the Women In Entrepreneurship Awards (WIEA) held on Saturday.
The awards scheme 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 was chaired by Veteran Ghanaian Journalist, Oheneyere Gifty Anti, and supported by ‘Ecobank Ellevate Programme’ and Tasty Tom.
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 Organisation of the Year; and Emmanuella Ukoha, Family Business of the Year.
Speaking to journalists at the event, Sylvia Tweneboah-Koduah, President of WIEG, said that the scheme sought to encourage more women to help in the country’s economic recovery through entrepreneurship. She said Ghana needed more entrepreneurs and sustainable businesses to strengthen the economy and curb the unemployment situation in the country.
Ms. Tweneboah-Koduah, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of WIEA, therefore encouraged young women to identify their potentials and make a business out of it.
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 percent 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 organisers for recognising her effort. She was hopeful that the recognition would throw more light on her business – which is mainly skincare products – so potential customers could patronise her items to be able to expand the business.
