Africa-Press – Ghana. Walk through Makola, Accra’s largest open-air market, on any weekday morning and you will see a kind of quiet genius at work. Women run entire mini-economies from behind their tables and containers.
These women may not carry fancy titles, but they carry whole households. One sells fabric, another sells tomatoes, while another manages a mobile money booth.
While many describe it as “buying and selling,” what they are really doing is making the same kinds of decisions chief executive officers make on a daily basis: whether to save, reinvest, take a risk, borrow, or bet on tomorrow.
What happens in Makola goes far beyond commerce. It is economic leadership driven by intuition, resilience and determination.
That is why investing in women should not be seen as an act of kindness or goodwill alone; it must sit at the centre of Ghana’s economic ambitions.
Across the country, women shape the direction of the nation through the choices they make in their homes, businesses and careers.
You see it in the teacher in Koforidua balancing her salary between school fees and savings. You see it in the nurse in Tamale setting aside money for postgraduate studies. You see it in the young entrepreneur in East Legon building her skincare brand one order at a time.
These decisions have far-reaching effects. They influence how stable a home becomes, how well children are educated, and how secure a family feels over time.
When women thrive financially, that strength flows into communities and is ultimately reflected in the nation’s economic health.
However, this strength is built gradually on practical foundations. A young professional may need guidance on how to save consistently. A small business owner may need help separating personal finances from business income.
A mid-career woman, pulled in many directions, may need a plan that accommodates her own aspirations. A woman approaching retirement needs clarity on turning years of work into steady income.
These are real conversations held with women every week at Stanbic. One truth often emerges: women rarely lack capability; they often lack access to financial knowledge, supportive advice and fair capital.
A woman may excel at running her business or managing her household, yet may not have been exposed to how compound interest works or how early investing, even in small amounts, can build long-term security.
Beneath these realities lies a deeper challenge. The feminisation of poverty remains a quiet but persistent issue in Ghana.
Many women earn less, save less and retire with less, even while carrying most of the unpaid care work that sustains families.
Many operate in the informal sector without pension benefits or financial protection. When unexpected events occur, they are often the first to absorb the shock.
This reflects not their potential, but the structures that shape their lives. When many women face these constraints simultaneously, the entire country feels the impact.
This is why building strong financial foundations for women is essential. A woman with financial confidence brings stability to her home. A growing business creates employment.
An investment provides a buffer against uncertainty. A well-planned retirement eases the burden on the next generation. One woman’s progress strengthens the fabric of society around her.
At Stanbic, this transformation is evident daily. Sitting with a woman, listening, guiding, and helping her map out her future often sparks meaningful change.
Confusion turns into understanding. Hesitation gives way to confidence. The stress of scattered finances settles into a plan she can trust. These moments may seem small, but they open the door to futures that once felt out of reach.
And those futures extend beyond the individual. A mother who saves teaches her children without saying a word. A business that expands creates opportunities for others.
A woman who invests early builds stability that lasts for generations. Intergenerational change takes root quietly but grows with remarkable strength.
Each year, International Women’s Day offers a moment to celebrate women and reflect on pathways to real progress.
This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” is particularly relevant for Ghana. It highlights that when women are given access to information, capital and opportunity, the impact goes far beyond the individual.
The returns are seen in stronger households, more resilient communities, thriving businesses, and a nation whose growth is driven by the women who sustain it.
Ghana’s future is closely tied to the future of its women. Every investment in a woman’s financial life is a seed planted in fertile ground. It grows into stronger families, more resilient communities and an economy capable of withstanding challenges.
It, therefore, goes without saying that if Ghana is to thrive, ensuring that women rise is one of the clearest and most effective paths forward.
(The author, Portia Oduro-Morrison, is the Marketing Manager, Stanbic Investment Management Services, Youth Banking and Social Media, Stanbic Bank Ghana).
