By Juliet ETEFE
The Chief Executive Officer of the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) Dr. Godwin Acquaye has urged stakeholders to step up efforts to empower women in agribusiness and technology, stressing that inclusive economic transformation cannot happen without the active participation of women.
Delivering the welcome remarks at the Women in Business Dialogue Series 2025, held in Kumasi under the theme “Scaling Jobs for Women through Agribusiness and Technology,” the CEO applauded sponsors and partners for their continued commitment to advancing gender inclusion.
“Women are a formidable force in Ghana’s economy, especially in agriculture, where they account for nearly 50% of the labor force. Yet they continue to face structural barriers such as limited access to land, finance, and technology,” he noted.
He emphasised that meaningful economic transformation requires intentional investment in policies and initiatives that empower women entrepreneurs, especially in sectors like agribusiness and tech.
He also highlighted the growing representation of women in corporate leadership, citing data from TheBoardroom Africa that indicates women now hold 25% of board seats in companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange, up by 12% in recent years.
However, he noted that more work remains to achieve parity and ensure women are fully represented in decision-making and entrepreneurship.
Turning to the role of technology, the CEO described digital innovation as a game-changer for women-led businesses.
He cited examples such as mobile banking for small-scale farmers and AI-powered tools in precision agriculture that are creating new frontiers for women entrepreneurs.
Despite this progress, he pointed out the digital gender divide, referencing an Afrobarometer report which shows that only 30% of African women have access to digital financial services compared to 45% of men.
“If we want truly inclusive growth, we must close this digital gap,” he said.
As such he noted that the summit is not just a conversation, but a call to action — urging participants to contribute meaningfully to building an inclusive economy by equipping women with the right skills, networks, and financial resources.
“Let today’s dialogue be a platform to forge partnerships, exchange ideas, and develop solutions that drive real impact,” he said.
The event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, and women entrepreneurs to discuss how to scale job creation, strengthen business leadership, and promote digital inclusion for women across Ghana and beyond.
The summit is organised by B&FT with support from Ecobank and other partners including Stanbic Bank, Agrihouse Foundation, World Vision Ghana, Petra, Glico, and Lancaster Kumasi City Hotel.
