The strong commitment of the Network of Women in Growth Ghana (NEWIG Ghana) to uplifting marginalized women continues to yield transformative results. In its latest efforts, the organization has successfully trained 54 women, in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, including nine women living with disabilities.
This milestone is part of the ongoing project, “Economic Inclusion of Marginalized Women Living in Urban Centers,” funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation.
The three-day intensive training, held from August 8 to 10 in collaboration with the Aseda Foundation, provided participants with hands-on experience in mushroom production and soap making. The skills imparted during the training are intended to help these women overcome socio-economic challenges and gain financial independence.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, NEWIG Ghana’s Executive Director, Ms. Mawulawoe Awity, emphasized the broader significance of the project. “Women constitute a significant portion of Ghana’s population, and it is crucial to empower them with skills to generate income for supporting their families and communities,” she said.
Ms. Awity acknowledged the financial support from the Coca-Cola Foundation toward the implementation of the project. “This project is funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation and will provide all participants with start-up kits after their training, which intends to enable them to begin their ventures even without initial capital and fully benefit from the skills they have acquired.”
Ms. Lisa Forson, Senior Field Officer and Project Assistant, reiterated the project’s goals during her introductory remarks at the event. “This training is part of the ‘Economic Inclusion of Marginalized Women Living in Urban Centers’ project, which aims to empower 300 women in Accra, Sekondi-Takoradi, Kumasi, and Tamale with skills in mushroom production, snail farming, and soap making.”.
The project, which began in January, has already shown positive results in Accra and is expected to continue making a significant impact as it rolls out in other regions. The women trained in Sekondi-Takoradi are now equipped to contribute to their local economies and improve their livelihoods.
Ms. Diana Adjei, Chief Executive Officer of Aseda Foundation, who collaborated with NEWIG Ghana to organize the training, stressed the importance of such initiatives. “Empowering women with skills to support their households financially is a powerful tool for driving economic progress,” she said. “I encourage my friends with disabilities to take this opportunity to contribute through their associations so they, too, can support their families and the country.”
The training culminated in a graduation ceremony where participants were awarded certificates and given start-up kits to help them launch their businesses. The beneficiaries used the occasion to honor the Founder and Executive Chair, Madam Mawusi Nudekor, for her vision, leadership, and decades of championing TVET in Ghana.
One of the beneficiaries, Emelia Mensah, a young woman from Takoradi, expressed her commitment to making the most of the opportunity. “I’ve learned how to make soap, a product we all use daily. As I have gone through this training and been given start-up kits, I’m committed to taking this seriously. I plan to train others in my community and earn a living from this skill,” she said.
Another participant, Nhyira Ampah, highlighted the potential market impact of her new skills. “What I’ve learned today will enable me to produce more mushrooms for the market. It will also allow me to train my siblings and others in my community, helping them secure jobs, which will benefit the country’s economy,” she stated.
This initiative underscores the importance of targeted interventions in uplifting marginalized groups and demonstrates how strategic partnerships, such as that between NEWIG Ghana and The Coca-Cola Foundation, can drive sustainable development at the grassroots level.
The skills acquired by these women will see them embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, which will help transform their own lives and help them make substantial contributions to the broader socio-economic development of their communities.
