Ghana pledges stronger support for women-led businesses

Ghana’s government has renewed its commitment to supporting women-owned businesses, with Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang promising improved access to finance, business development services and wider market opportunities.

Speaking at the opening of the fifth Ghana Women Entrepreneurship Summit (GWES 2026), the Vice President joined Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) Chief Executive Officer Margaret Ansei to highlight the importance of women entrepreneurs in driving economic growth.

The summit, held under the theme “Empowering Women to Drive Trade, Innovation and Industrial Growth,” focused on removing barriers that prevent women-led enterprises from expanding.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang identified the proposed Ghana Women’s Development Bank as an important government intervention aimed at addressing financing challenges and making affordable financial services more accessible to women entrepreneurs.

She also stressed that financial assistance must be supported by practical business development services, including skills training, quality standards, improved packaging and safety compliance. These measures would help women-owned businesses meet the requirements of supermarkets, major buyers and export markets.

The Vice President called for more women-led businesses to move into commercial production, manufacturing and industrial supply chains, creating opportunities for larger operations and increased competitiveness.

Women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are important to Ghana’s economy because they contribute to job creation, local production, agro-processing, trade and innovation. Supporting their growth can also strengthen household incomes, increase the value of locally produced goods and create stronger links between smaller businesses and larger industries.

GEA CEO Margaret Ansei drew attention to another major challenge: working capital. She explained that women entrepreneurs often struggle to fulfil large orders because buyers may delay payments while suppliers expect immediate payment. This cash-flow gap can prevent businesses from accepting contracts and expanding production.

For business owners, the next important development will be the practical delivery of the promises made at the summit. They should watch for details about the proposed bank, financing eligibility, application procedures, business training programmes and new market-access initiatives.

The real measure of success will be whether these commitments translate into affordable funding, stronger business capacity and sustainable opportunities for women entrepreneurs across Ghana.