Women in small and medium scale enterprises have been identified as the panacea to Ghana’s growth and economic challenges if given the needed boost by both government and financial institutions.

Grace Amey-Obeng -- MD of FC Group of Companies and an Ambassador for Access ‘W’ Initiative -- was sharing her views as a special guest during the opening ceremony of the Power Breakfast Series organised by Access Bank in Accra.

The power Breakfast Series, instituted last year by the ‘Bank of the Year’, forms part of Access Bank’s strategy of growing and supporting local businesses through capacity building seminars and innovative banking solutions.

Mrs. Amey-Obeng opined that SMEs contribute significantly to income-generation and job-creation, and there was an urgent need for more professional administration of such businesses. She advised participants: “As a business owner or entrepreneur, people depend on you for their livelihoods and it is important that you constantly sharpen your financial management skills to enable you overcome the challenges of managing your business in the 21st century”.

The MD of Access Bank Dolapo Ogundimu, in welcoming participants to the workshop, explained that the ‘Power Breakfast’ series is an initiative intended to enhance SME operational efficiency as well as empower participants with skills to improve management of their business operations.

The two-day workshop provided selected women who own businesses in the small and medium scale enterprises category with enhanced financial literacy skills to improve the viability of their businesses. The participants were also taken through a session in Personal Branding that was facilitated by Miss Ruka Sanusi, a renowned business-coaching executive and a ‘W’ ambassador.

Access Bank officially launched its unique approach to banking women known as the “W” initiative earlier in March this year. “W” seeks to inspire, connect and empower women across the country by offering a bundle of tailor-made products, services and opportunities to women -- ranging from young professionals, women with family, and women in business. The focus on women forms part of the bank’s “W” Initiative value propositions to give women in business financial literacy to help grow their enterprises.

The bank continues to commit resources for improving wellbeing in key areas such as education, health and social improvement across several communities in Ghana. It is also committed to sustainable business practices driving profitable, sustainable growth that is also environmentally responsible and socially relevant.