Fatimatu Abubakar and Zongo Women Launch NGO to Empower Young Female Entrepreneurs

Former Minister of Information Madam Fatimatu Abubakar, together with a group of accomplished Zongo women, has launched the Growlead Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering young women and girls from Zongo and northern communities to expand and professionalise their businesses.

Speaking at the launch in Accra on Thursday, Madam Abubakar said the initiative aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial and leadership capacities of women, particularly from Ghana’s five northern regions — Upper East, Upper West, Savannah, North East, and Northern — as well as Zongo neighbourhoods and settler communities across the country.

She noted that 70 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses in Ghana are owned by women, underscoring the need to equip them with modern business tools and leadership skills to unlock their full economic potential.

“The NGO will build the capacity of girls and young women to scale up, modernise, and package their products to export beyond Ghana,” she said.

The Growlead Foundation will run capacity-building, mentorship, and financial support programmes to empower women and girls to influence decision-making processes and drive social change in their communities. It also seeks to promote civic awareness and participation among marginalised groups.

Citing UN statistics, Madam Abubakar highlighted that enhancing the potential of young women globally could boost economic productivity by over $4 trillion by 2030, adding that Ghana must position its women to tap into that opportunity.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Fatimatu N-Eyare Sulemana, lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department for the Study of Religions and Islamic Studies, called for sustained efforts to develop women’s leadership and decision-making skills.

“Empowering women is not a charity; it’s a strategy for building a movement of today and future leaders,” she said.

Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader in Parliament and MP for Effutu, urged young women to stay determined and resilient despite humble beginnings, sharing his personal experiences of overcoming financial challenges in his youth. He pledged financial and logistical support to help the foundation achieve its vision.

The event drew distinguished guests, including the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, traditional leaders, former ministers of state, and Members of Parliament — all expressing support for the Foundation’s mission to uplift women and transform communities.