Ghana's Innovation Bill Targets Enhanced Gender Equality and Bolsters Female-Founded Tech Enterprises
In Ghana, there's a growing emphasis on promoting gender parity, particularly in the tech and business sectors. Eyison, a prominent figure, underscores the importance of early-stage STEM education for girls, and Adjei emphasizes the need for equal funding opportunities for female-led startups.
The Ghana Innovation and Startups Bill, introduced in 2020, is expected to have a positive impact on gender inclusivity and female-led startups. This legislation aims to provide incentives and a regulatory framework that will support startups broadly, addressing barriers faced by female entrepreneurs. The bill, along with initiatives by networks like the Ghana Hubs Network and programs under the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), focuses on improving access to funding, mentorship, and capacity-building.
The Startup Bill, anticipated to pass by December 2025, offers tax incentives, streamlined registration, and easier access to funding for startups. It also aims to foster gender inclusivity and encourage the establishment of more female-led startups. Adjei argues that the bill must include solid countermeasures to ensure no discrimination against women.
Eyison suggests focusing on industry mentorship and networking for women in tech, and establishing public-private partnerships to drive greater female participation in tech. The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE) has played a key role in empowering women and girls in STEM, promoting gender equity through initiatives like eSkills4Jobs and the annual Females in ICT (FEMITECH) conference.
Ghana currently ranks third in Africa in terms of female-led ventures, according to the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs. However, most women-owned businesses still struggle with access to key resources needed to enhance productivity and increase revenue, particularly in rural areas. The Startup Bill, if properly executed, could provide essential measures in bridging this gap.
Ethel Delali Cofie, another influential figure, believes that Ghana must ensure that the Startup Bill is a fully functional system with clear timelines, enforcement mechanisms, and accountability structures. The bill, if successfully implemented, could increase the number of women entrepreneurs in Ghana's tech industry, contributing to Ghana's ambition to become a leading African nation in terms of emerging technology companies.
Promoting inclusive hiring practices in tech companies and ensuring equal funding opportunities for female-led startups are crucial steps towards achieving gender equality in Ghana's tech sector. The Innovation and Startups Bill, together with ongoing ecosystem improvements and dedicated capacity-building programs, collectively contributes to making innovation and entrepreneurship in Ghana more gender-inclusive and supportive of female-led startups.
Technology plays a vital role in education-and-self-development, and initiatives like the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT work towards empowering women and girls in STEM, promoting gender equity. In sports, Ethel Delali Cofie advocates for inclusive hiring practices in tech companies, acknowledging that these practices are crucial steps towards achieving gender equality.
