Over 80 Ghanaian women have graduated from the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), an initiative funded by the U.S. government, and designed to enhance the skills of women entrepreneurs.
The 13-week program, which combines online training modules with in-person mentorship and facilitation, was successfully completed by the graduates.
Emerging entrepreneurs from eight regions of Ghana, including those who produce food and drink, jewelry, agricultural products, clothing, and body care items, participated in Cohort 4’s training this year.
AWE, which was established in 2019, offers online educational materials, creates networks that promote mentorship access, and links women through active U.S. government exchange programs.
U.S. Embassy Economic Counselor, Stephanie Hutchison, in her speech at the graduation ceremony, reiterated U.S. government’s continuous support for women entrepreneurs in Ghana.
Saying: “Promoting inclusion and economic growth, trade and investment is one of the top priorities of the U.S. government. Entrepreneurs like you are central to this effort and critical to developing Ghana’s economy. We aim to support and develop entrepreneurs because we know they can be powerful, and all-powerful, engines of economic growth and job creation. Honing the skills of entrepreneurs creates opportunities to generate critically needed jobs across various sectors that can boost sustainable economic growth.”
Alumni from the first three cohorts of AWE, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center, Mandela Washington Fellowship, Fortune women, and other respected women entrepreneurs in Ghana facilitated various aspects of the three-month long training program.
AWE uses the Dream Builder curriculum created by Arizona’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. With extra sessions led by seasoned women entrepreneurs and subject matter experts in finance, marketing, and logistics, this online program offers flexibility to aspiring women entrepreneurs who pursue the course at their own pace.
The program aims to support female entrepreneurs in Ghana, enable them to realize their full economic potential, and foster an environment that will boost everyone’s stability, security, and prosperity.
For the purpose of starting and expanding their firms, obtaining funding, and connecting with other successful business owners, participants have acquired new skills and learned how to use new tools.
The graduation held at the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center located in the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
