The United States (US) Embassy is hosting women entrepreneurs from 14 African countries to help empower more women entrepreneurs in the global economy.
The women are beneficiaries of the US global entrepreneurship training to support and empower women entrepreneurs to promote community-based businesses.
The alumni ties has brought together participants from Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Cote D’Ivoire, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Ethiopia, South Africa, Cameroon and Zimbabwe.
It is being held under the theme: “Strengthening business and trade for women entrepreneurs in Africa”.
Ms Marie Royce, Deputy Secretary of State in charge of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA), who addressed the participants at the opening of the four-day seminar in Accra, said the ties would enable the women to share highlights of their work with peers.
She said the developing countries, especially those in Africa, have an untapped resources in their women and there is the need to teach, train and mentor them to become successful hence the launch of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) on Tuesday, June 25.
The opening of AWE is on pilot in 26 countries on the globe, including 10 Africa countries and would be extended to other parts of the world if successful, she said.
It is an online course dubbed “Dream Builders,” and short-listed applicants would go through interview before they start a 15-week training starting from July 9.
Ms Royce said the entrepreneurs had the opportunity to apply for grants up to 10,000 dollars to support their businesses, adding that the criteria for selection would be based on a sound business plan, marketing plan, among others for community solution.
Ms Matilda Payne, beneficiary of the International Visitor Leadership Programme, an exchange programme in the US, who spoke with the Ghana News Agency, said her companies; MH Couture and Xtreme Upcycle, were geared towards halting climate change, support young girls with two percent of her proceeds and others.
She said the companies used waste products such as plastic bags, copper wires and beads to produce fashion and home accessory items.
She has employed a number of women who collect the waste and pay them whilst training young girls on the need to separate waste to make money.
