Empowering Obuasi Women Entrepreneurs through the power of digital technology
Ghana is digitizing fast, building a robust internet ecosystem, giving more and more people the opportunity to sell or engage in some form of trading activities online. According to International Trade Administration, Ghana has approximately 15 million internet users who are buying online every day.
Women however constitute approximately 46% of the entrepreneurial workforce in Ghana. For women entrepreneurs to thrive, there was the need to develop their capacities to catch up with the growing trends of online marketing.
It is for this reason that AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine in partnership with Absa Bank Ghana trained 40 women entrepreneurs in Obuasi on how to effectively utilise various e-commerce platforms to reach a broader audience and increase sales.
The training was part of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine’s women in e-Commerce project under the Enterprise and Skills Development Programme, of its comprehensive 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP).
The initiative according to Daniel Arthur-Bentum, Acting Community Relations Manager, at AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine aims to empower women entrepreneurs by enhancing their online business capabilities and developing a supportive community for growth and collaboration.
He said the Women in e-Commerce project, is part of a broader Business Acceleration and Sustainability (BAST) Programme being implemented under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine and Absa Bank Ghana LTD, in September 2023.
The project, he stated reflects the Obuasi Mine’s commitment to developing and promoting inclusive economic development and supporting local communities, and by addressing the unique challenges faced by women in business.
Participants were taken through a wide range of topics, including digital transactions, budgeting, saving and social media advertising. The topics were carefully selected and to meet the crucial needs in today’s digital age, positioning participants to expand their businesses, manage their finances more effectively, and navigate the digital landscape with confidence.
They expressed their gratitude and excitement about the potential impact of the training on their businesses.
Rosina Fosu a business woman said the training has been an eye opener for them especially since most of them did not know how to leverage the benefits that digital tools offer.
She encouraged women in business to exploit the opportunities that social media and online marketing present to bolster their businesses.
Emelia Nyameah, proprietress of Kristodia school in Obuasi lauded AngloGold Ashanti for the comprehensive training and stressed the importance of practicing what they have been taught.
” Most of us had no knowledge about the benefits of adopting digital platforms to enhance our businesses. Since this workshop started, I decided to practicalize what we have been taught and since then, I have received tons of messages from people making enquiring about my school”.
Signed
SAMPSON MANU
