Access Bank (Ghana) Plc, in collaboration with Deloitte Ghana, recently convened a Women Business Workshop in Accra, Ghana. The event aimed to equip female entrepreneurs with essential financial knowledge and strategic planning skills necessary for sustainable business growth and scaling.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
The workshop gathered a diverse cohort of women business owners, all clients of Access Bank. It served as a vital platform for expert-led instruction, networking among peers, and open discussions addressing the complexities of business expansion in the current competitive landscape.
Bimpe Gisanrin, Head of Women Banking for Access Bank’s African Subsidiaries, emphasized the bank’s commitment to supporting women-led enterprises. She stated that financial access alone is insufficient.
“We recognize that women entrepreneurs are a powerful force in driving economic growth. However, access to capital alone is not enough. They need the right financial knowledge, structures, and confidence to make informed decisions that will move their businesses forward,” Gisanrin explained.
Gisanrin highlighted that many women entrepreneurs face limitations not due to a lack of ambition, but rather due to deficiencies in financial literacy and strategic direction. This workshop was specifically designed to address these gaps by providing practical guidance on financial planning, business structuring, and long-term growth strategies.
“Our focus is to ensure that the women we support are not only able to start businesses, but are also positioned to scale and sustain them over time,” she added.
A Deliberate Capacity-Building Approach
The initiative is a testament to Access Bank’s intentional strategy in its women’s banking division, focusing on capacity development. Gisanrin described the approach as deliberate and focused on empowering entrepreneurs.
“We are deliberate about creating platforms like this, where women can engage experts, ask questions, and leave with actionable knowledge. It is about building capacity and strengthening resilience,” she stated.
Professionals from Deloitte led comprehensive training sessions. These sessions covered critical areas such as financial management, risk assessment, and strategic planning. Participants received frameworks to enhance their businesses’ positioning for expansion and to attract investment with increased confidence.
Fostering Collaboration and Growth
Beyond formal instruction, the workshop fostered an environment for participants to share their experiences and business challenges. This peer-to-peer exchange cultivated a spirit of collective problem-solving and mutual accountability among the entrepreneurs.
This workshop forms part of Access Bank’s overarching, long-term strategy. The bank aims to champion women’s entrepreneurship and accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Ghana.
Looking Ahead
The success of this workshop signals Access Bank’s ongoing dedication to empowering women in business. The bank’s focus extends beyond traditional financial products to encompass crucial knowledge and strategic support. This model of capacity building is likely to be replicated, potentially influencing how financial institutions engage with and support women entrepreneurs across the African continent. As these businesses gain financial literacy and strategic direction, their capacity to scale, innovate, and contribute to economic development is significantly enhanced. Future initiatives will likely focus on continued mentorship, access to broader networks, and tailored financial solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of these growing enterprises.
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