By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Margaret Ansei, has emphasised the critical need to empower women entrepreneurs with the tools, resources and opportunities necessary to thrive in competitive markets.
In her address to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration under the theme ‘Accelerating Growth to Empower Women and Expand Markets’, the newly appointed CEO highlighted the transformative potential of women-led businesses and the importance of creating an enabling environment for their success.
Mrs. Ansei stressed that empowering women entrepreneurs is not just a moral imperative but also an economic necessity. “When we invest in women entrepreneurs, we are investing in the growth of our communities, our economies and our nation as a whole.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that women are not only recognised and supported but also equipped with the tools, resources and opportunities they need to thrive in competitive markets,” she said.
She stressed that while women entrepreneurs contribute significantly to Ghana’s economy, limited access to sustainable markets remains a major challenge. To address this, she highlighted GEA’s Business in a Box (BizBox) project, which includes Ghana Mall, a trade facilitation hub designed to connect women-led businesses to larger markets locally and internationally.
The CEO also called on financial institutions operating in the country to deliberately design gender-responsive financial solutions to help bridge the barriers that prevent women from accessing credit, arguing that such interventions could play a vital role in enabling women-owned businesses to secure funds to enhance their operations and promote gender equality, economically empower them and create an equitable society that leaves no one behind.
“To our financial institutions, we urge you to develop gender-responsive financial products and bridge the barriers that prevent women from accessing credit,” she implored.
The event, held at the forecourt of the GEA, brought together stakeholders from across the business and development sectors to celebrate women’s achievements and chart a path toward greater gender equality in entrepreneurship.
International Women’s Day
The GEA International Women’s Day Celebration was marked with a forum and a fair that saw exhibitors showing their wares.
Dignitaries include Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo; Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey; a politician and journalist, Obuobia Darko; Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Constituency, Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunnor; and other personalities.
The day was set aside by the United Nations in 1975 to recognise and celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women globally. It was also to draw the world’s attention to areas requiring further action, and the need to accelerate gender equality.
Taking her turn, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, stated that many women still face barriers to economic participation and financial inclusion.
“As we celebrate women’s achievement, we must also renew our commitment to creating an enabling environment that allows them to shine and succeed. You agree with me that when women have access to education, financial resources and technology; they create sustainable businesses, generate employment and drive innovation,” she said.
She added that women must continue to invest in capacity-building programmes that enhance skills and knowledge to scale up their enterprise and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Three representatives from Mastercard Foundation – the main sponsor of the event, namely Madam Emelia Ayipio Asamoah, Gottfried Odamtten-Sowah and Joseph Boateng, were also in attendance.
Ms. Ansei, in her concluding remarks, said: “As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, let us move beyond words and commit to real, measurable impact. When women succeed, families prosper, communities flourish and Ghana thrives. Let us accelerate growth—because the time is now”!
