The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a venture supported by the U.S. government, has marked another milestone as over 80 Ghanaian women entrepreneurs successfully graduated from the program. Designed to bolster the skills of women entrepreneurs, AWE offers a 13-week course that combines online training modules with personalized mentorship and facilitation.
In the recently concluded Cohort 4 training, participants from various sectors such as food and beverage production, jewelry, agriculture, fashion, and body care products, hailing from eight different regions in Ghana, showcased their commitment to learning and growth.
AWE, initiated in 2019, equips aspiring entrepreneurs with online educational resources, cultivates networks to foster mentorship opportunities, and connects women through established U.S. government exchange initiatives.
At the graduation ceremony, Stephanie Hutchison, U.S. Embassy Economic Counselor, reiterated the U.S. government’s unwavering commitment to Ghanaian women entrepreneurs, highlighting their pivotal role in driving economic inclusivity and growth. She emphasized, “Supporting and nurturing entrepreneurs is a cornerstone of our efforts. Entrepreneurs like you are central to this endeavor, critical for Ghana’s economic advancement. We seek to nurture and cultivate entrepreneurs because we recognize their potential to be potent engines of economic growth and job creation.”
Prominent alumni from prior AWE cohorts, including the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center, Mandela Washington Fellowship, Fortune women, and other esteemed women entrepreneurs in Ghana, played integral roles in facilitating the comprehensive three-month training program.
AWE adopts the Dream Builder course crafted by the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona. The online curriculum caters to the flexibility needs of budding women entrepreneurs, allowing them to progress at their own pace. Supplementary sessions are led by accomplished women entrepreneurs and subject matter experts in fields like finance, marketing, and logistics.
Beyond skill enhancement, the initiative aspires to empower Ghanaian women entrepreneurs, unleashing their economic potential and fostering conditions for greater stability, security, and prosperity.
Participants emerge equipped with fresh skills and adeptness in utilizing novel tools to cultivate and expand their businesses, secure funding, and connect with accomplished business owners. The graduation ceremony was hosted at the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center situated within the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
Source: U.S. Embassy in Ghana