By Godwill Arthur-Mensah, GNA
Accra, Oct.16, GNA – Madam Fatimatu Abubakar, former Minister of Information and other accomplished Zongo women have set up a not-for-profit NGO to build the capacity of young Zongo women to scale up their businesses.
She stated that about 70 per cent of small-and-medium size businesses in Ghana belonged to women, therefore, building their entrepreneurial and leadership skills, particularly those from the five northern regions would enhance their economic potential.
Madam Abubakar, a Founding Member of the NGO, at the launch of Growlead Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, in Accra on Thursday, said the NGO was committed to empowering women, girls, and marginalised communities, particularly within Upper East, Upper West, Savannah, North East and Northern regions, Zongo neighbourhoods, and settler communities across the country.
The NGO, she said, would assist women and girls with capacity-building multidimentional programmes and financial support to have meaningful influence in decisions in society.
It would also to strengthen the leadership capacities of women and girls, equipping them to drive positive change within their communities.
It is expected that women, girls, and marginalised groups become fully aware of their social and political rights and empowered to actively participate in civic activities.
Madam Abubakar noted that United Nations statistics indicated that if the potential of young women were enhanced globally, it would boost their economic potential by four trillion dollars by 2030.
“So, the NGO will build the capacity of girls and young women to scale up, modernise, and package their products to export beyond Ghana.
Dr Fatimatu N-Eyare Sulemana, the keynote Speaker at the event, and a lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department for the Study of Religions and Islamic Studies, a scholar with expertise in women’s empowerment, underscored the need for Ghana to make conscious efforts to resource and strengthen the leadership capacity of girls and women to contribute meaningfully towards socio-economic development of the nation.
“Empowering women is not a charity, it’s a strategy to building a movement of today and future leaders,” she stressed.
Mr Alexander Afenyo- Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament and NPP Member of Parliament for Effutu, encouraged young women and girls to remain steadfast in life, and not despise humble beginnings.
The legislator recounted his personal experiences growing up in Winneba and challenges he faced in paying his school fees.
The legislator pledged to support financially and other material resources to enable the NGO to achieve its vision.
The inauguration of the NGO attracted high profile personalities including National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, traditional leaders, former ministers of state and members of Parliament.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei