The maiden edition of the Northern Regional Women’s Icons and Exhibition Fair, aimed at creating platforms to showcase Made-in-Ghana products and services produced by women-owned enterprises, has been held in Tamale in the Northern Regional capital.
The three-day event, dubbed ‘Recognising Iconic Women for Economic Development’ organised by the Ghana Export and Promotion Authority (GEPA) in collaboration with Access Bank, also aimed at celebrating women for their role in building the economy of Ghana through their businesses as well as building their capacity for the export market.
It was also to link the local business women to investors to enable them access finance to inject into the growth of their business. They were also taken through some financial management education and social media marketing to help sustain and grow their businesses.
Hajia Rabiatu Abukari, Chief Executive Officer of Maltiti A. Enterprise, emerged as the Northern Regional winner of the 2023 Women Icons.
In a speech read on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Alhassan Shani Shaibu, by the Northern Regional Coordinating Director, Alhaji Alhassan Issahaku, GEPA was commended for the initiative.
“Recognising the potentials of the women and helping to build upon them would go a long way to benefit the society and the nation as a whole. We need to also praise the effort of our women in the society for all that they have been doing over the years, seeking to improve their businesses,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of GEPA Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, represented by Deputy Director in charge of Industrial Arts and Craft, Nelly Joana Spio-Abaidoo, said the essence of the event was to help identify potential exporters who would be groomed and transited to the export space. “It was also to celebrate the remarkable achievement and contributions made by women in various trade and export sectors to inspire future generations as well promote gender equality in businesses,” she stated.
