Mrs Lucy Afari
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the 71st Anniversary and Speech and Prize-Giving Day of OLA Senior High School in Ho, on Saturday (15 March), she highlighted both the achievements and challenges faced by women in business.
Women Entrepreneurs Driving Economic Growth
Mrs Afari reflected on her own journey from an engineering and corporate background to entrepreneurship, where she now leads a thriving food business that employs about 12 workers directly.
She noted that Ghana has one of the highest percentages of women entrepreneurs globally, with about 46% of businesses owned by women.
“Women entrepreneurs are not only creating businesses but also investing in their communities, providing jobs, and driving economic growth. Just a little encouragement and empowerment can transform a woman’s idea into a thriving business,” she said.
Mrs Afari urged the audience to recognize and support the various women-led businesses that sustain families and communities, from small corner shops and fashion designers to school proprietors and large-scale enterprises.
Challenges Facing Women in Business
Despite their contributions, Afari acknowledged the numerous barriers women entrepreneurs face, including limited access to funding, cultural expectations that discourage business expansion, and the challenge of balancing family and business responsibilities.
“Many women are told to keep their businesses small, even when they have the capability to grow them into large enterprises. We must break these cultural barriers and empower women to dream bigger,” she emphasized.
She also stressed the importance of business skills training, noting that many women struggle with scaling their businesses due to limited knowledge in business management.
Call to Action: Supporting Women in Business
The CEO of Flexy Foods underscored the need for stronger support systems to help women-led businesses thrive. She called on successful business leaders and alumni to take an active role in mentoring young women, providing them with internships and professional guidance to help them navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.
She also emphasized the importance of visibility and networking, proposing the creation of a dedicated business directory for women-led enterprises. Such an initiative, she noted, would facilitate patronage and referrals, ensuring that female entrepreneurs have better access to markets and growth opportunities.
Additionally, she urged policymakers to implement programs that enhance women’s economic empowerment by improving access to funding. Addressing these financial barriers, she argued, would unlock greater opportunities for female entrepreneurs, driving broader economic growth and innovation.
Financial Support – She emphasized that small financial investments can make a significant impact, noting that many women struggle to access even minimal startup capital.
“Sometimes all a woman needs is just a small amount of capital to start a business, yet it’s hard to come by. A hundred cedis may be a single lunch in Accra, but for a woman, it could be the start of something great,” she pointed out.
Holding the Door Open for Others
Mrs Afari concluded with a powerful challenge to the audience: “When an opportunity is presented to you, don’t just walk through the door alone—hold it open for another woman. Seek ways to uplift and empower others, because when we invest in women, we invest in everyone.”
Her speech reinforced the vital role of women entrepreneurs in Ghana’s economy and the urgent need for collaborative efforts to break down barriers, provide resources, and create an environment where women in business can thrive.
This year’s celebration was sponsored by both 1999 and 2000 year groups of OLA Senior High School.
