WIN has supported 31 WGDs with start-ups to empower them economically as part of its PERD project. 16 of the beneficiaries are physically challenged, 13 are deaf and 2 are partially blind.  These start-ups were given to the women according to a needs assessment that was conducted for them in their various communities, it was to help them start their business and others to reinvest into their businesses. The project is committed to empowering WGDs to pursue better economic opportunities.

Vida Abban (in white) a trained hairdresser receiving hair dryer and other items for saloon set-up.

It started with seven WGDs receiving deep-freezers, water and drinks to start a water selling business. In addition to the seven, 24 other WGDS have received start-up support from the project. These beneficiaries included skilled WGDs, those who need reinvestment in their business and few who needed initial capital. Support received included; a gas oven together with flour, sugar, oil, gas cylinder and gas, fufu pounding machine, a pop-corn machine, mobile money business, items to repair a shop which has been closed for a long time due to its dilapidated state. Two WGDs received items to boost their pastries businesses, one deaf woman received dye, materials and other items to reinvest into her tie and dye making business.

Martha Aikins receives oven, filled gas cylinder, flour, oil and sugar

Additionally, two deaf women were provided with big cooking pots, bags of maize and different kind of fishes for their Banku making business.  Also, four trained hairdressers received items to set up a saloon business. One deaf woman received a cylinder cooker, yams, oil and some meat to help her fried yam business, one physically challenged woman received rubber and plastic ware to add to the little capital she had, another physically challenged woman received kitchen ware items to start business again as she had been robbed and lost her capital.

Efua Duaba trained hairdresser receives items for salon set-up

Furthermore, two physically challenged, one partially blind and four deaf WGDs were given items to start petty trading business in their communities to support themselves and their families. Two of them who were partially blind and physically challenged were girls aged 16 who had a child each but had no one to support them. They could not learn a trade either because of the child they each had but had no one to support them.

The fridges for the beneficiaries in Gomoa West were presented to them by the district coordinating director and officer from the social welfare department. He admonished them to make good use of the support gained as this is a new chapter in their lives that can help them be financially independent.

 

The Cordinating Director for Gomoa West (far left), Gender Desk officer (beside Cordinating director) and Social Welfare officer (right) presenting fridges to WGDs.

The WGDs received training in financial literacy skills. They were coached on how to save up for their businesses and keep it growing, they were advised to open account with credible financial institutions. They learned about record keeping and book keeping to help them manage their stock and track their progress.

Madam Abena Serwaa the social welfare officer for the Mfantseman Municipal assembly thanked WIN for the support. She said the Municipal is committed to supporting PWDs with the assembly common fund, however the support is not enough to reach all, “we are grateful for this support for our WGDs.” To the WGDs she said “I will plead with you to make good use of the support you have been given, we will come around to monitor the work you have been doing.” She also advised them to visit the Ghana Enterprise Agency office to sought for business guidance. Some of the beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to WIN and the PERD project