By Yero S. Bah
The number of female entrepreneurs in the Gambia is rising by the day, as they are coming up with innovative strategies to keep up with the market’s pace of change. They are embracing entrepreneurship and technology in creating a source of earning for themselves and families, and by providing services to the community.
One such female entrepreneur is Ms. Fatoumatta L.B Ceesay, who runs a hairdressing Salon at the Nema Kunku Market in Kombo North, West Coast Region. She said the business is useful as she is able to earn her source of living from it. Saying it has improved her life tremendously,
Ceesay stressed, “By doing this business, I don’t beg for support on the streets.”
The former IT student of Humanity First noted that, self-employment is one of the most important things that one can do; that with such jobs, no one dictates you on what to do on a daily basis, noting it is also self-reliance.
The hair beautician acknowledged that the Global Youth Innovation Network Gambia Chapter (GYIN Gambia Chapter) has helped her and her sister (Ida L.B Ceesay) in exposing them to the outside world. GYIN Gambia came to change lives especially for rural youths of this country, as they don’t discriminate people based on gender, according to Ceesay.
On challenges, Ms. Ceesay–a graduate of Gaye Njorro Skills Academy– disclosed that she needs a solar system as the electricity supply isn’t reliable at all. She lamented how the power outage largely delays some of her works. The entrepreneur used this medium, to appeal for support regarding tailoring materials, so as to make her daily work easier, but as well as enlarge her business.
Meanwhile, Ceesay noted that now customers are not coming as last year, admitting the coronavirus has seriously affected her business.
“I am just trying, but this year is totally different, due to Covid-19 pandemic,” she disclosed.
The hairdressing saloon owner, however maintained that, the business has actually changed her life because she’s able to make a “decent living”, without resorting to begging.
Fatoumatta used the opportunity to on other girls to launch their own businesses; advising that sitting at home doing nothing, is not the answer to solving their financial problems.
