Access to capital has been cited as one of the key challenges for rural women in Ghana to launch start-up initiatives. This limits them from turning their ideas into viable businesses. While pitching business ideas to people or organizations that can help bring ideas to reality has become popular in different parts of the world, they are mainly organized for educated people or the elites. This leaves rural women with very limited options where they can receive financial support and mentorship to actualize their business ideas.
In Ghana, the partnership between Tamanaa and 2SCALE aims to increase the availability of parboiled rice and rice blends to low-income segments of the population. Tamanaa is located in Nasia -northeast Ghana- a region where women and youth migration to other regions in search of economic opportunities is a common phenomenon. Consequentially, the partnership has prioritized incorporating women and youth in the rice value chain, to increase their income levels sustainably. To further empower these women and to recognize their efforts, the Business Champion in this partnership, Mr. Bramah Saibu organized a business pitch challenge for rural women in the value chain ranging from producers, parboilers, aggregators, and street vendors. The challenge was held in September 2022, with the winners receiving awards in October 2022. It was no coincidence that the pitching and awards session was held in October, as narrated by Mr. Bramah:
October is a month when the world celebrates and raises awareness on the valuable contribution made by rural women to development and especially in providing agricultural labor force. For this reason, I saw October as perfect timing to empower and recognize the efforts of the women in my business.
For Mr. Bramah, the motivation to set up an initiative that recognizes and supports women to venture into sustainable businesses started when he was young.
Growing up in the village and watching my mother and other women, I've always noticed that women strive to do more with less. Empower a woman today and watch her return with results, unlike most men who, when they get money, marry more wives. I gave a woman GHC 2,000 ($148) to start a business last year, and she returned with GCH 5,000 ($370) this year. I have always wanted to do something different for women while encouraging them to work harder. This is the main reason why I was motivated to start this initiative. This is the first time Tamanaa is hosting such an event and we intend to hold it every year in October.
He narrates.
Tailoring the pitching process to accommodate rural women and their exceptionality
The launch of this initiative is a huge milestone toward building a network of women entrepreneurs living in rural areas. However, winning the business pitch competition took a lot of work from the women who had to pitch the viability and sustainability of their ideas. It was the first time these women were participating in a business pitch session.
First, the business pitching competition was made open, and all women linked to Tamanaa were encouraged to pick and fill out forms at the Business champions office. 84 women applied and among them, 12 finalists were chosen. On the 20th of October, these 12 women were given the platform to share their business ideas with an audience and a range of judges from 2SCALE and two more development agencies. Being a challenge for rural women, the organizers tailored the entire process to appeal to and accommodate the women.
To appreciate the unique challenges that rural women face, and tailor interventions that best meet the needs of the people, the pitching was unlike what we see in other sessions. The women spoke in their local language, to enable them comfortably express their business ideas. They also had to prove how the businesses would create jobs and have room for growth.
After a rigorous vetting process, Paulina Ababire, 38, Azara Mohammed 37, and Seidu Ramatu, 40 emerged winners. They received an award of $500 each. It was a jubilant moment as the women could not hide their joy.
I am overjoyed to be a part of this because no one has ever given me such a large sum of money to invest in my business! I am hoping to return to this platform next year to share my accomplishments!’’ said a joyous Paulina.
Paulina says that she was hesitant to participate in the pitching competition, because of the notion that such initiatives do not yield any results. It however dawned on her that this was real when she was invited to face the judges. She narrates:
When we were requested to meet the judges, the realization of how real this can be set in. When I was chosen as one of the final twelve, my entire family (husband and children) accompanied me because they were astounded that I could stand in front of a crowd and present my business idea! This entire process has inspired and empowered me. Emerging as a winner is something I never imagined, and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.
For Azara, scooping this award is a solution to one of the major challenges she faces in her business- access to finance.
Despite the booming nature of my business, access to finance has been a major challenge in the parboiling industry. These funds will allow me to purchase at least 30 bags of paddy rice for a start. Labor and time-saving equipment have been a major challenge in this industry, and gradually, I believe we will get a solution for this as well.