The First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has urged businesses to support physically challenged women entrepreneurs in the country to better enhance their capabilities.
According to the First Lady, most women with disabilities are exposed to discrimination and violations of their basic human rights as they are mostly denied employment opportunities, worsening their conditions.
Speaking at a fundraising gala night in aid of physically challenged women in businesses organized by the Ministry of Business Development, Madam Akufo- Addo encouraged various business associations to promote physically challenged women entrepreneurs to grow their brands.
“Women face challenges with access to formal financial services, business development services and ownership of land. These factors make it very tough for women to improve their businesses and rope them in to become big businesses,” she noted.
She pointed out that it is worse with women with disabilities since their efforts are mostly overlooked.
“When it comes to women with disabilities these challenges are compounded. In addition to what the general population of women suffer, these women suffer discrimination and violations of their basic human rights in all facets of life. Many women with disabilities have limited access to education, healthcare, decision making and requirement opportunities thus aggravated the conditions of poverty. It is for this reason that I consider the fundraiser very important in supporting our disabled women in business towards the achievement of inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Ghana”.
Meanwhile, Minister for Business Development, Ibrahim Mohammed Awal said the ministry is targeting to raise 4 million cedis over the next two years to support over 1,000 physically challenged women entrepreneurs in Ghana.
He added that an advisory board would be set up to determine the modalities of disbursement of the funds raised, which would serve as a revolving fund and disbursed as soft loans with minimal interest next year.
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By: Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana.