Emmanuel Agyekum, Minister of State Designate for Special Initiatives, has emphasized the urgent need to establish a Women’s Development Bank to empower women and fulfill a significant campaign promise.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Appointment Committee during his vetting, Mr. Agyekum reiterated the importance of delivering on this initiative to support women entrepreneurs across the country.
“If I have the opportunity, it’s one of the key things that we’ll roll out as soon as possible,” he stated. “The reason why I’m saying this is it’s a promise we made to most Ghanaians. The woman in Nkoranza today will be sitting there and asking me that, ‘His Excellency, the President said that he’s going to give us a women’s bank that will have a facility to support our businesses.’ I think it’s a promise we made, and it’s something we need to do as soon as possible.”
The establishment of the Women’s Development Bank was a key campaign pledge aimed at addressing challenges faced by women in accessing financial support for their businesses. Mr. Agyekum emphasized that such an institution would be instrumental in promoting financial independence and economic empowerment for women, particularly in rural communities.
The Minister of State Designate’s comments have sparked conversations about the timelines and feasibility of the initiative, with many calling on the government to prioritize its implementation. Women’s groups and advocacy organizations have long pushed for improved access to financial resources tailored specifically to the needs of women entrepreneurs.
If confirmed, Mr. Agyekum pledged to prioritize this initiative, working collaboratively with stakeholders to make the Women’s Development Bank a reality. The move aligns with the government’s broader agenda to support gender equality and economic growth through targeted interventions.
The establishment of the Women’s Development Bank could be a transformative step for women’s economic empowerment in Ghana, creating opportunities for women across various sectors to thrive and contribute significantly to national development.
