Prominent Ghanaian human rights advocate, peace ambassador, journalist, and development communicator, Dr Joseph Kobla Wemakor, has called for increased investments and deliberate policy interventions to advance women’s economic empowerment in Ghana, describing it as a critical pathway to achieving gender equality, reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable development.

According to him, empowering women economically is not only a matter of social justice and equal opportunity but also a strategic investment in stronger families, resilient communities, and a more prosperous Africa.

Dr Wemakor made the call during an interview on Africa In Perspective, a programme aired on Radio Now 95.3 FM, a Lagos-based radio station in Nigeria, and hosted by Abiodun Adelowore.

Speaking on the topic, “Breaking Barriers: Women’s Economic Empowerment in Ghana,” Dr Wemakor explained that women’s economic empowerment extends beyond income generation and requires creating an enabling environment where women have equal access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making processes.

“Women’s economic empowerment means ensuring that women have equal opportunities, resources, and the freedom to participate meaningfully in Ghana’s economy. It means having access to education, finance, land, markets, technology, leadership opportunities, and the ability to make decisions that affect one’s economic future,” he said.

The Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) acknowledged that Ghana has made notable progress in promoting women’s participation in economic activities over the past decade.

He noted that more women are pursuing higher education, establishing businesses, and assuming leadership positions across various sectors. He also credited government interventions, private-sector initiatives, and technological innovations such as mobile money for expanding financial inclusion among women.

Despite these gains, Dr Wemakor said many women continue to face systemic barriers that limit their economic potential and opportunities.

“Women continue to dominate the informal sector, where earnings are often unstable and social protection is limited. Access to finance remains unequal, and many women still face cultural expectations that restrict their economic choices,” he stated.

He further highlighted the challenges confronting women in rural communities, describing them as more severe than those experienced by women in urban centres.

According to him, inadequate access to financial institutions, markets, business development services, internet connectivity, and transportation infrastructure continue to impede the economic advancement of rural women.

While women in cities such as Accra and Kumasi may enjoy relatively better access to services, he said financing constraints and societal expectations remain significant obstacles.

On access to finance, Dr Wemakor observed that although microfinance schemes and digital lending platforms have increased funding opportunities, many women entrepreneurs still struggle to secure affordable and adequate capital to expand their businesses.

“Some loan products carry high interest rates, while others provide only short-term support. Many women-led enterprises operate informally and may lack the documentation and collateral required by financial institutions,” he explained.

He identified financial literacy, business management, bookkeeping, digital marketing, customer service, negotiation, and leadership training as some of the key areas where women entrepreneurs are seeking support to grow their businesses and remain competitive.

Dr Wemakor also underscored the transformative role of technology in promoting women’s economic participation.

He noted that mobile money platforms have enabled women to save, receive payments, and conduct transactions more conveniently, while e-commerce has opened opportunities for entrepreneurs to reach customers beyond their immediate communities.

He added that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), could support business planning, marketing, content creation, and productivity.

However, he stressed that efforts to promote digital innovation must be accompanied by measures to ensure that women are not excluded from the benefits of the digital economy.

“Digital inclusion efforts must ensure that women are not left behind,” he emphasised.

Touching on sectors where women are making significant but often underappreciated contributions, Dr Wemakor cited agribusiness, food processing, manufacturing, fashion, renewable energy, education, healthcare, and technology.

“Women are not merely participating in these sectors; they are transforming them through creativity, innovation, and resilience,” he said.

Dr Wemakor also used the opportunity to announce his participation as a guest speaker at the upcoming Women Entrepreneurship Empowerment Programme (WEEP) workshop scheduled for June 20, 2026, in Accra.

The initiative, organised by Eminence Lead International with support from the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), and other stakeholders, aims to equip women entrepreneurs with practical skills, mentorship opportunities, financial literacy, and leadership development.

He described such initiatives as essential in translating conversations on women’s empowerment into concrete actions that create opportunities for women to succeed.

“Breaking barriers requires moving beyond discussion to concrete action that empowers women to succeed. Initiatives like WEEP demonstrate that stakeholders increasingly recognise that empowering women economically requires deliberate action through mentorship, financial literacy, leadership development, and creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs to thrive,” he noted.

In his concluding remarks, Dr Wemakor called for women’s economic empowerment to become a continuous national agenda rather than an occasional topic of discussion.

“When women rise economically, communities rise with them. Women’s empowerment should not be an annual conversation; it should be a daily commitment translated into policies, investments, mentorship, and opportunities that help women succeed economically,” he said.

He added: “When we invest in women’s enterprises, we are investing in stronger families, resilient communities, and a more prosperous Africa.”

His remarks add to growing calls for governments, development partners, civil society organisations, financial institutions, and the private sector to intensify efforts aimed at removing barriers that continue to limit women’s full participation in economic life.

As Ghana pursues inclusive and sustainable development, advocates say ensuring equal economic opportunities for women remains essential to advancing human rights, promoting gender equality, and achieving long-term national progress.

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