By: Bakary Touray Jr
Dozens of women entrepreneurs led the President of the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) Chapter in The Gambia, Madam Amie Jaiteh-Ceesay, on 3 and 4 December, 2020 joined their parent organization based in United States to celebrate AWEP’s 10 Years Anniversary 2010-2020.
The Gambian celebration, which took place at GCCI conference hall, was presided over by the Minister of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare (MoWCSW), Mrs. Fatou Kinteh, and attended by Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, members of the Civil Society organisations, and young entrepreneurs.
In briefing the Gambian media on the last day of the celebration, the AWEP Chapter President Jaiteh-Ceesay expressed their appreciation for the event which is an achievement for the organization, while commending Minister Kinteh and the Permanent Secretary of Trade for attending the occasion. She hailed their presence, saying it showed the importance they have attached to AWEP event.
Jaiteh-Ceesay informed the gathering that AWEP was launched in 2010 by the State Department of the United States Government, adding AWEP is an outreach, education, and engagement initiative designed to introduce sub-Saharan business women to American approaches to leadership, business growth, forging networks, and thus becoming voices of change.
According to her, since the formation of AWEP, it has conducted several activities that are aimed at benefiting the African women entrepreneurs, amongst which are: training on setting up and managing businesses, marketing and financial management, information access for intellectual property rights, grants, financial, markets and networking and local and international workshops for capacity building of members and on various topics.
The Gambian Chapter President further disclosed that during the Covid-19 pandemic, AWEP has also stepped up to offer its members a variety of information sessions in order to help their businesses survive and transform to the changing times. She cited their webinars and information sessions on how to access N50billion CBN COVID-19 funds; how to save your business from COVID-19; how to position your business for online success during the lockdown and beyond; and how to complete verification on Google my Business, inter alia.
In conclusion, Madam Jaiteh-Ceesay advised Women Entrepreneurs to double of their commitment and dedication towards their businesses and ensure they work towards engaging in a meaningful business development.
