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The Academic Woman Foundation (TAW) and MTN Ghana collaborated to host the “She Builds” conference at the Accra International Conference Centre. In order to investigate potential for empowerment, leadership development, and digital inclusion, the event gathered together advocates, experts, and women leaders from many industries.
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the event took place at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Speaking as a panelist, MTN Ghana’s Chief Enterprise Officer, Angela Mensah-Poku, emphasized the importance of women to Ghana’s economy and the enduring obstacles that keep them from growing their companies.
“At some point, we need to recognise that a significant number of businesses are female-led. In fact, about 80% of informal businesses are led by women. Yet, many of these women remain locked out of growth opportunities due to barriers such as access to funding, digital tools, formal networks, and mentorship,” she said.
Ms. Mensah-Poku identified digital identity as a key challenge, noting that many women entrepreneurs still register their mobile phone numbers in their husbands’ names, which is a barrier to accessing mobile money, banking services, and other enablers of growth.
“Digital identity starts with something as simple as having a phone number, KYC details, and a Ghana Card. If women are excluded at this basic level, they are cut off from larger opportunities,” she emphasised.
She further called for mentorship, training, and digital tools that would help women entrepreneurs “move from good to great to greatest.”
As part of its presentation, MTN Ghana introduced practical SME solutions tailored for women-led enterprises. These included the MTN Adwumapa Bundle, a package offering affordable voice, data, SMS, and lifestyle services for small and medium-sized businesses. Available via *5060#, the bundle helps entrepreneurs stay connected, build professional brands, and scale their businesses. MTN also highlighted other SME-focused products such as Y’ello Biz and Webwiz.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, in her keynote address, commended Ghana’s progress in addressing women’s issues while acknowledging persistent gaps.
“Today, women are making their mark across every sphere of our society—in Parliament, the judiciary, corporate boardrooms, agriculture, technology, the creative arts, and entrepreneurship. Above all, we are deeply honoured to have Ghana’s first female Vice President, Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. Her achievement stands as a beacon of hope for young girls everywhere,” the Minister said.
The conference, themed “Women in Entrepreneurship, Law, Built Environment and Engineering: Where Are We Now, Where Are We Going, and What Do We Need to Do?”, convened leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to celebrate women’s contributions across critical sectors while charting pathways to strengthen representation and leadership.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
