Participants of the O.R. Tambo Women in Entrepreneurship Training have praised the programme for equipping them with practical tools to strengthen and sustain their businesses.

The three-day workshop, held in Accra, was organised by the O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chairs Initiative (ORTARChI) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for selected women entrepreneurs in the Greater Accra Region.

Facilitated by a team of seasoned business experts including Dr. Tweneboah-Koduah, Ms. Gifty Afi Cudjoe, Mr. Richard Agyare, and Mr. Mohammed Maahi, the workshop covered key topics such as business communication and negotiation, contracting, time management, budgeting, and record keeping.

Ms. Audrey Atampoka Ayambire, founder of Poka’s Savoury Enterprise, a bakery and juice start-up at Fise-Amasaman, described the programme as a “roadmap” for her entrepreneurial journey.

She explained that the training had deepened her understanding of business planning, costing, branding, and time management.

“Before the training, my knowledge of running a business was less than one percent. Now, I understand the importance of having a clear business plan and brand identity,” she said.

Ms. Ayambire, who produces sugar-free cakes and freshly squeezed juices, believes the training has positioned her to run her business more effectively.

“In the next three months, I see Poka’s Savoury Enterprise operating with a clear structure, standard operating procedures, and a strong brand identity that can compete with bigger players,” she stated.

Mrs. Mary Opuni Frimpong, Proprietress of Prime Rainbow Montessori School at Taifa-North, said the sessions had been “tremendous,” particularly in improving her approach to record keeping, staff management, and communication.

She said that the training would enable her to introduce proper financial systems, delegation strategies, and branding structures in her school.

“With over 280 pupils and 25 staff members, we relied solely on manual record keeping. This training has shown me the importance of having proper systems in place. I’ve also realized that our brand speaks for us, so I intend to streamline our school’s colours and values to reflect our identity,” she said.

For Ms. Mawusinu Asabea Letsu, owner of Yummy Bakes and Grill at West Adenta, the programme came at a critical stage of her business growth. Having run her pastry and grill business for nearly a decade, she said she was now focused on taking the venture to the next level.

“I started small from my mother’s kitchen, but after this workshop, Yummy Bakes and Grill is ready to go global. I want people in Germany or any part of the world to walk into a shop and enjoy authentic Ghanaian pastries, crunchy, tasty, and well preserved,” she said.

According to her, the training provided valuable insights on building business structures, staff alignment, and branding.

“The one-page business plan session was phenomenal. I’ve worked with a bulky 20-page proposal before, but this simplified approach has given me clarity. I also realized the importance of integrating our mission and vision into the minds of staff so they truly embody our brand,” she remarked.

Dr. Joseph Owusu, Project Coordinator for the O.R. Tambo-KNUST Project, explained that the workshop was designed not simply to teach entrepreneurs how to run their businesses, but to share skills and knowledge from applied research and industry partnerships.

“Our hope is that you will take these tools and scale up your businesses, whether by hiring more staff, opening new branches, or reaching new markets,” he said. “Many African SMEs struggle to grow because of gaps in technical skills and business knowledge. We want to help bridge that gap.”

Since its establishment five years ago, the O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chairs Initiative has supported applied research that translates into real-world impact in areas such as healthcare technology entrepreneurship, agri-business, food technology, and financial inclusion. At KNUST, the initiative has trained 28 Master’s students and graduated 12 PhD candidates, all focused on entrepreneurship-driven research.