Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, running mate to National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer John Mahama, announced plans to create women entrepreneurs and millionaires through the strategic establishment of a Women Development Bank. “We will actively pursue the establishment of a Women Development Bank to nurture and grow women-owned, women-led businesses,” Opoku Agyemang stated.
“Women must become millionaires too, through hard work, as the men do. Women do not need handouts. We need a hand up. Women of Ghana are capable of managing the bank 100%.” She said during her acceptance speech as running mate in Accra on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
The proposed bank by John Mahama, she said, would provide small-scale businesswomen, such as those hawking or running small businesses, access to capital to boost their enterprises. Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang envisions a board inclusive of trading associations and cooperatives to represent and make decisions on behalf of its members.
She highlighted the potential benefits of empowering women in entrepreneurship, noting that when women prosper, they invest in their children and wider families. “There is better stability and peace at home; most will demand less ‘chop money,’” she added.
Referencing notable women entrepreneurs like Esther Ocloo, Prof. Jaane Opoku Agyemang called for the revival of the dreams and actions of hero and heroine entrepreneurs as models. The former Minister of Education also the first female Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, emphasized the importance of supporting private sector participants and warned against hindering successful entrepreneurs’ efforts.
In addition, she outlined plans for modernizing markets, which are central to many women’s economic activities. “Market women deserve the benefits of a clean, modernized marketplace. It must not end with the beautiful Kejetia or attractive Kotokoraba and allied markets,” she stated.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
