Some of the nation’s brightest minds will converge at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel tomorrow, Tuesday, March 26, 2024 for the maiden Women in Business (WIB) dialogue series organised by the B&FT, Africa’s leading source for relevant business information.
This will afford them the ideal platform to rub minds and proffer insight into harnessing the potential of women-leaning businesses under the theme investing in women-owned businesses for Ghana’s transformation agenda: A call for action.
Elaborating on this, Dr. Godwin Acquaye, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of B&FT, explained that despite the current prevailing challenges faced by women in career or business, they possess an untapped potential for broader national and regional economic advancement.
“Even before there were empirical studies to show the importance of women in business, we knew these things. As we look forward not only to full economic recovery, but also long-term economic transformation, we must ensure that this critical component is given the priority it deserves,” he said.
Existing studies bear witness to this. Globally, women’s entrepreneurial activity is on the rise. Estimates suggest that women run around 24 percent to 33 percent of all businesses worldwide.
Of particular interest is sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The region boasts the world’s highest rate of women entrepreneurs, with a staggering 27 percent of female residents actively involved in entrepreneurial activities
Women-owned businesses in SSA hold immense economic potential. Studies suggest that if women entrepreneurs in the region were given equal access to resources as men, they could contribute an additional US$1trillion to Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030.
This economic growth would be fuelled by a combination of factors, including increased innovation, productivity and job creation.
The session will be spearheaded by distinguished female executives across sectors and businesses in different stages of their careers as well as accomplished female corporate and business executives in all sectors and spheres.
These include Dr. Edith Dankwa – the Board Chair of B&FT, alongside Madam Kosi Yankey-Ayeh – the CEO of Ghana Enterprise Agency as special guest of honour. Also in attendance will be Mrs. Gloria Cabutey-Adodadji, Sector Head of SME and Retail Banking at Zenith Bank Ghana; Nana Esi Idun-Artkhurst, Divisional Director of Retail and Business Banking at Fidelity Bank; Dr. Rejoice Wodomdedzi Foli, consultant & UN Peace Ambassador; and Dr. Wanida Lewis, CEO of Crescendo Foods.
Others are Kwaku Arthur-Annobil, Strategy Lead and Business Manager at Stanbic Bank; Dr. Emmanuel Osei Asiamah, Executive Chairman of Standard Pension; and Dr. Daniel McKorley, Chairman of McDan Group.
The event is the brainchild of the B&FT with sponsorship from Zenith Bank, SIC Life Insurance, Stanbic Bank, GCB Bank, Fidelity Bank, FBN Bank and the McDan Group of Companies.
Media partners are Asaase Radio and TV3.
