CAMFED-NBSSI Dialog: Support for young women entrepreneurs during and beyond COVID-19
On September 17th, CAMFED Ghana and the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) hosted a virtual dialog as part of work to support young women entrepreneurs during and beyond COVID-19. In the session, members of the CAMFED Association shared their experiences and advice for other young women aiming to sustain businesses during a time of disruption.
What’s really helped me to survive is my dream. I always close my eyes and look at the business, where I want to see it in the future… I can’t just give up because I know it’s possible to get there.
Martha, CAMFED Association entrepreneur, Ghana
Martha Fanny Gaisie, CEO of an agribusiness specializing in mushrooms; and Dorcas Apoore, CEO of a basket-weaving cooperative, represented CAMFED in the dialog, which was also joined by NBSSI’s Juliana Adubofour and entrepreneurs Priscilla Akoto Bamfo, Fafape Ama Etse Foe, and Marian Mantey. They spoke not only about challenges as a result of lockdown, but also of opportunities and solutions. These include strengthening their businesses’ online presence, adapting to meet changing customer demands, and using quieter periods to do research and preparation.
The participants are awaiting the results of their applications to NBSSI’s Coronavirus Alleviation Program Business Support Scheme (now closed). They urged other business owners in Ghana to look out on social media for other funding and business support opportunities available from NBSSI and CAMFED through the Mastercard Foundation’s Young African Works program.
To request access to the dialog recording please email: ghana[@]camfed.org
The header photo of Dorcas and female members of her basket-weaving cooperative was taken in 2018 by Eliza Powell.