By Paul Mamattah
Stratcomm Africa, a marketing communication agency, has launched a book on entrepreneurship in Accra over the weekend, to serve as a guide for wealth creation to transform the lives of young people in Ghana.
The 80-page book titled “Dare To Be” is a compilation and celebration of the entrepreneurial journeys of seven outstanding Ghanaian women in the film, fashion, music, cosmetic, communication, and food industries.
They also share with readers, their experiences, and lessons, as well as words of advice for people in similar circumstances.
The compilation of experiences can motivate other women to be their most authentic selves, leveraging their resources, no matter how limited, to the best of their capabilities.
Previewing the book, Madam Esther Cobbah, said she loves to celebrate women knowing the odds women face, often in male-dominated environments challenged her to compile a book on six outstanding Ghanaian women entrepreneurs.
She said, the book outlined their experiences, lessons, words of advice, idea generation, as well as research on successful businesses, and the pros and cons of buying and selling, which are beneficial to the birth and growth of an enterprise.
According to Madam Esther Cobbah, numerous women in Ghana-run enterprises they started can be found in their homes, in front of their houses, the markets, kiosks, as well as small and large offices.
She stated that their stories need to be told saying; that the more we project enterprise through such sharing of stories of entrepreneurs, the more we can expect the development of a culture of entrepreneurship in Ghanaian society.
Madam Esther Cobbah, noted that there is a need as a country to be more deliberate about documenting the stories of our entrepreneurs and have our business schools reflect these experiences in their study of the world of business.
She further pointed out that entrepreneurship is critical to human development as they strive to create wealth, create jobs, improve livelihoods, and take populations out of poverty, entrepreneurs are important contributors to the success of the economy.
“For that reason, in a country like Ghana, the more we can stimulate and encourage entrepreneurial capabilities from a young age, the more likely we are to achieve our national aspirations. That is why young entrepreneurs, especially when they are women, deserve attention as pacesetters; role models that can help lift our society to a higher pedestal”. She added.
Launching the book, former Chief Executive of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council, Mrs Mawuena Trebah, advised young entrepreneurs in Ghana not to allow their successes chalked in business to outshine their sense of humility.
According to her, humility will draw people to associate with their businesses, thereby speeding up their growth at a geometrical rate.
Mrs Trebah, touted include visionary leadership, entrepreneurial acumen, and high sense of humility, a can-do spirit, and respect for due process.
She was quick to encourage the young entrepreneurs to keep their entrepreneurial flames burning, saying; “entrepreneurs like you, are what Ghana needed and not aid from the developed economies”.
“If you can sustain your entrepreneurial drives, you will create jobs for the teeming majority of people, reduce poverty, and crime rates on the African continent”.
Mrs Trebah, therefore, encouraged existing and potential entrepreneurs to pursue their goals to grow their businesses to support national development.
About the seven outstanding Ghanaian women
The seven outstanding Ghanaian women included; Kafui Danku, a multiple award-winning filmmaker, actress, and author.
Freda Obeng-Ampofo, is a globally trained and 100percent Ghanaian and has over ten years of experience in programme management, communications, and research in the NGO, private and public sectors across four continents.
Awura Abena Agyeman, is also a co-founder and CEO of WEAR Ghana Ltd, one of Ghana’s foremost fashion labels whose vision is to become Africa’s most loved brand. Emi-Beth is the founder and CEO of Kawa Moka Coffee. She previously served as the Executive Secretary at Ghana Oil Club, and also as a Programme Coordinator with Impact Business Leaders’ Africa Programme.
The rest are, Aisha Ayensu, the Founder and Creative Director of the internationally acclaimed luxury fashion label, Christie Brown. Vera Hamenoo-Kpeda, better known by her stage name MzVee, is a Ghanaian singer, Afro-pop, dancehall, and R&B artiste.
Madam Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah is the founder and CEO of Strategic Communications Africa (Stratcomm Africa) which she founded 28 years ago.
