An award ceremony has been held at Accra City Hotel in Accra to honour Africa’s 100 Most Influential Women.
The event was organised in recognition to recognise a select group of women who have contributed significantly to the socio-economic development of their countries in Africa.
The awardees were drawn from 54 countries among a wide range of professional disciplines including the media, banking, entertainment, agriculture, medicine, hospitality among others.
Organised by Imperial Leo Group Network, the awardees were selected by scrutinizing their level of professionalism and the extent of the impact of their craft on society with a section of awardees drawn online via zoom.
Dr Paul Boachie-Ansah, the Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Leo Group Network in an address said it was amazing to see women breaking through boundaries and the barriers that militates against them to make their mark in the tough world of work.
He said despite the significant contributions of women entrepreneurs to Africa’s economic growth, they faced several challenges including limited access to finance, training, access to network and markets among others.
“According to research, women in Sub- Saharan Africa are 20 per cent less likely than men to have a bank account and are 17 per cent less likely to have access to formal credit,” he said.
This barriers in access to finance, he said, made it difficult for women to start and grow their businesses.
Dr Boachie-Ansah however said despite these challenges, there were many opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Africa such as agriculture, technology, tourism and more which women could explore.
He said efforts, which were being made by governments, organizations and public-spirited individuals to address these barriers through policy reforms, financial support, capacity-building programmes and advocacy were worthy of note.
He indicated that despite these numerous challenges and gender disparities, women in Africa have shown resilience, innovation and determination to build viable enterprises and contribute to economic growth and social development of Africa.
The Overall Award recipient was Bishop Dr. Charles Cofie Hackman, CEO of H4P Organization for his immense contributions in supporting women and girls in the disability community in Africa.
Among elite women entrepreneur awardees recognized at the event were Arthimiza Mendonca, Journalist from Guinea Bissau; Grace Omaboe, TV personality, philanthropist, politician and Educationist, Ghana.
Others were Madam Doris Belinda Ankorful, CEO of Linda Dor Enterprise; Ruth Tembe, Founder and CEO of Africa Vision Communication Group Cameroon; Mrs. Comfort Owusu, Executive Director of Association of Rural Banks, Ghana; Queen Nwokoye, Actress and Entrepreneur, Nigeria.
The rest were Sonya Sadwhani, Executive Director of Melcom; Gladys Sarkodie, CEO of Anointed Ladies Shop; Madam Abena Pokua Amoah Boaitey, CEO of Interven Limited GH among other awardees.
Mrs. Comfort Owusu, an awardee, urged emerging young ladies to manage their time profitably by judiciously juggling between matrimonial and professional life in spite of the challenges.
She encouraged women to invest in their craft and chosen careers while applying themselves diligently to their careers adding that they should minimize the amount of time spent on social media.
GNA
