Accra: A total of 69 women, including eleven persons with disabilities, have successfully completed a training program in soap-making aimed at enhancing their livelihoods and economic independence. They were trained in the production of liquid soap, bleach (parazone), and after-wash products, equipping them with practical skills and start-up resources to commence their own businesses and improve their economic well-being.

According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative, dubbed ‘Economic Inclusion of Marginalized Women in Urban Centres,’ was organized by the Network of Women in Growth (NEWIG) in collaboration with NOYED Ghana and the Linda Coffie Foundation, funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation. Ms. Mawulawoe Awity, Executive Director of NEWIG, speaking at a ceremony to graduate the beneficiaries from the training in Tamale, stated that this effort was part of a broader commitment to train 300 women across four regions, including Greater Accra, Western, Ashanti, and Northern. She highlighted the training as a crucial step towards promoting economic empowerment for women, asserting that economically empowered women can significantly contribute to their families, communities, and the broader economy.

Ms. Awity encouraged the beneficiaries to take their new skills seriously, stay creative, and support one another in their entrepreneurial pursuits. Each participant received a certificate of completion along with a start-up kit to enable them to immediately begin producing and marketing their products. Mr. Abukari Baba Sumaila, Tamale Metropolitan Director of the National Youth Authority, urged the beneficiaries not to take the opportunity for granted, emphasizing the importance of creativity and branding in making their products stand out.

In his remarks, Mr. Mohammed Yussif, Assembly Member from the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly, encouraged the women to remain united and supportive of one another, cautioning against letting competition lead to selfishness. He noted that helping one another strengthens their network and ensures mutual benefit. Miss Patience Basing, Project Officer at Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency-Ghana, commended NEWIG and its partners for the initiative and urged the beneficiaries to continuously improve their skills.