Patriots Ghana successfully hosted its 2026 Women Entrepreneurs Financial Literacy Initiative (WEFLI) Annual Conference on December 13, 2025, bringing together women entrepreneurs, public-sector partners, and key stakeholders to advance conversations on financial independence, enterprise growth, and collaborative development.
The conference convened over 100 participants, including 96 women entrepreneurs from four WEFLI communities, 3 guest entrepreneurs who are alumni from Patriots Ghana’s Ghana Employment Initiative (GEI), representatives from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly (ASEMA), and staff of Patriots Ghana. The gathering created a shared platform for learning, reflection, and strategic engagement focused on strengthening women-led businesses.
A Space to Learn, Measure Progress and Strengthen Impact
The program officially opened with a welcome address by Mr. Evans Anderson Sagoe, Projects Manager of Patriots Ghana, who introduced invited guests and set the tone for a purposeful and impactful engagement. In his opening remarks, Mr. Sagoe emphasized that the annual WEFLI conference serves as a space to celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs across participating communities while fostering peer learning and experience-sharing among beneficiaries.
He further noted that the conference functions as a strategic platform for engaging WEFLI beneficiaries to assess the progress of their businesses, better understand existing challenges, and explore collaborative approaches through which Patriots Ghana can continue to invest in their growth and long-term journey toward financial independence.
Understanding the WEFLI Model and Its Impact
Mr. Sagoe also highlighted that the conference provides valuable insight for prospective participants interested in joining future WEFLI cohorts. He outlined key components of the WEFLI model, including its group and peer support structure, flexible microloan mechanisms, tailored financial literacy training, and the Brainy Keepers Initiative, which equips beneficiaries’ children who support basic financial record-keeping. Together, these elements reflect the program’s holistic and family-centered approach to economic empowerment.
Inspiration from Ghana Employment Initiative (GEI) Alumni
One of the key highlights of the conference was an inspirational sharing session led by alumni of the pioneering cohort of the Ghana Employment Initiative (GEI), a flagship entrepreneurship program of Patriots Ghana. The alumni shared reflections on their entrepreneurial journeys, underscoring the importance of starting small, remaining consistent, adapting to challenges, and maintaining belief in one’s vision.
Ms. Rebecca Mensah, GEI alumna and Chief Executive Officer of Ayeyi Cakes and Nibbles, delivered a particularly motivating message, encouraging WEFLI beneficiaries to persevere through obstacles and remain committed to their businesses despite setbacks.
Evidence of Impact: Women Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories
The conference also featured a panel discussion with selected WEFLI beneficiaries, including Dorcas, Sarah, Justina, and Dela, who shared practical experiences on how access to microloans has enabled them to strengthen their businesses, support their families, and create employment opportunities within their communities.
Dorcas explained how her microloan helped her establish a food business that has become a stable source of income for her household, while also sharing her plans to expand into a mini-grocery shop in the near future. While celebrating their progress, the panelists also highlighted ongoing challenges, such as limited access to direct markets, the need for improved product packaging and branding, and the need for additional capital to scale their enterprises.
Addressing Post-Harvest Losses and Productivity Challenges
Addressing some of these challenges, the keynote address was delivered by Mr. Ebenezer Djan, an officer with the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in the Awutu Senya East Municipality, on the theme “Understanding and Reducing Post-Harvest Losses for Improved Productivity and Income.”
His presentation responded directly to concerns raised by WEFLI beneficiaries regarding income losses due to poor storage and handling of agricultural products. Mr. Djan provided practical guidance on proper produce handling, storage, and preservation techniques, while also encouraging participants to improve branding to enhance product appeal and customer retention.
Government Partnerships to Expand Women’s Opportunities
Following the keynote address, Ms. Vivian Turkson, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture at the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly, shared insights on the range of entrepreneurial and vocational training opportunities available to women within the municipality.
She highlighted how MoFA’s vocational training programs have supported women’s employment and income generation and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to collaborating with Patriots Ghana. Ms. Turkson emphasized the ministry’s readiness to support WEFLI beneficiaries through training, partnerships, and business development opportunities that contribute to financial stability and independence.
Lessons in Growth from GEI Alumni Entrepreneurs
The conference continued with a second panel discussion featuring GEI alumni entrepreneurs Linda Teiko Nargeh, Founder and Executive Director of Nyemisuom Women Association; Bernard Owusu Debrah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of B&D Farms; and Rebecca Boadu, Co-founder and Executive Director of Ayeyi Cakes and Nibbles.
The panelists shared lessons from their business journeys, including strategies for marketing, customer relationship management, and sustainable growth. They encouraged beneficiaries to prioritize consistency, integrity, and adaptability as key drivers of long-term business success.
From Questions to Confidence: Deepening Knowledge and Inspiration
During an interactive question-and-answer session, both current WEFLI beneficiaries and prospective participants actively engaged panelists and guest speakers with thoughtful questions aimed at deepening their understanding of entrepreneurship, financial management, and business growth. Participants sought practical guidance on accessing markets, managing loans responsibly, improving product quality, and navigating common business challenges. The open exchange created a dynamic learning environment where the women were able to draw inspiration from real-life success stories, clarify uncertainties, and gain confidence in their own entrepreneurial journeys. For many, the session served as a pivotal moment, reinforcing the belief that financial independence is achievable and helping them chart clearer, more intentional paths toward long-term economic stability and freedom.
Reaffirming Commitment to Women’s Economic Empowerment
In his closing remarks, Dr. Eric Opoku Agyemang, Founder and National Coordinator of Patriots Ghana, encouraged WEFLI beneficiaries to fully leverage opportunities offered by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other partners.
He reaffirmed Patriots Ghana’s commitment to continued investment in women entrepreneurs through training, access to funding, mentorship, and strategic collaborations. Dr. Agyemang also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand market access for WEFLI beneficiaries, including partnerships with local high schools and universities to create demand for products such as gari and other goods commonly used by students. He further expressed Patriots Ghana’s interest in strengthening partnerships with MoFA and other government agencies to explore both local and international market opportunities for WEFLI-supported enterprises. Dr. Agyemang also expressed sincere appreciation to Otto Per Mille Valdese, Italy, for their partnership and funding support to help train these women and provide the needed coaching to advance their financial freedom.
