It’s Women’s History Month and precisely for today (March 08), International Women’s Day. People worldwide will celebrate women in observance of the Day, marking their contributions to society.
The road to gender inclusion is still more than a stretch away, especially as the UN laments an alarming deficit in the annual $360 billion spending on gender equality measures for the 2030 SDGs target. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023, it will take another 131 years to reach gender parity.
Despite the challenges, organizers of IWD encourage all, not just women, to get involved by striking the #InspireInclusion pose – making a heart symbol with your hands – and sharing selfies on social media with the hashtags #IWD2024 and #InspireInclusion.
Set in this year’s theme of “Invest in Women,” what better way to do that than to recognise some of Ghana’s women entrepreneurs who have become trailblazers, shattering the glass ceilings to pave the way for future generations of women to thrive in the business world?
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To mention a few, here are some of Ghana’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs:
Esther Afua Ocloo
Fondly known as “Auntie Ocloo,” Esther Afua Ocloo was a pioneer in Ghana’s entrepreneurial landscape. In 1942, she co-founded Nkulenu Industries, which became one of the country’s leading food processing companies. Ocloo was a relentless advocate for women’s economic empowerment and played a significant role in establishing microfinance initiatives to support small-scale entrepreneurs.
Lucy Quist
Lucy Quist is a prominent business leader and the co-founder of the Executive Women Network. With a background in engineering and telecommunications, she has held various leadership positions in multinational corporations, including Airtel Ghana and Tullow Oil. Quist is a vocal advocate for gender diversity and inclusion in the corporate world and continues to inspire women through her leadership and mentorship.
Ethel Cofie
Ethel Cofie is a renowned tech entrepreneur and the founder of Edel Technology Consulting, a leading IT consulting firm in Ghana. She has been instrumental in promoting digital innovation and entrepreneurship across Africa and is a strong advocate for women’s participation in the technology sector. Cofie’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the top 5 women impacting IT in Africa by IT News Africa.
Ruka Sanusi
Ruka Sanusi is the founder of Alldens Lane, an e-commerce platform that connects Ghanaian artisans with customers worldwide. Through her venture, she has provided a platform for local artisans to showcase their craftsmanship and expand their market reach. Sanusi is passionate about promoting sustainable fashion and ethical consumerism, making a positive impact on both local communities and the environment.
Regina Honu
Regina Honu is the CEO and Founder of Soronko Academy, a leading technology, coding, and digital skills development hub in Accra. Over the last 12 years, she’s dedicated her time and efforts to bridging the gender gap in the tech industry by empowering young women through coding and digital skills training. Her Academy pioneered coding training for girls and young children, setting itself aside as one of the impactful initiatives in tech. Since its establishment, Soronko Academy has trained over 20,000 women & girls and has expanded to train boys, men, and children with disabilities.
At the Accra Times, we inspire inclusion. See how we are celebrating women today.
