The O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chair Initiative (ORTARChi) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has organised a two-day Professional Training Programme for Women Entrepreneurs in the Ashanti region. The programme aimed to equip and enhance the business growth skills of participants from various sectors, including fashion, beauty, farming, and catering.

Opening the training programme on behalf of the Chair, Dr. Joseph Owusu, explained that the ORTARChi at KNUST has an overall objective of collaborating with academia, industry, and government to enhance applied research in technology entrepreneurship and career readiness. He added that it also exists to engage relevant stakeholders for research translation as well as strengthen and expand postgraduate education in the areas of health, agriculture, and inclusive finance technology entrepreneurship. He noted that the training was designed to equip the participating women entrepreneurs with the requisite skills, competencies, and knowledge needed to grow their businesses. Dr. Owusu also revealed that the participating cohort was the first of many, the team has plans to expand the training programme to other regions across Ghana.
The facilitators of the professional training programme were Dr. Tweneboah-Koduah, Ms. Gifty Afi Cudjoe, Mr. Richard Agyare, and Mr. Mohammed Maahi.

A presentation on Business Communication and Negotiation was facilitated by Mr. Richard Agyare, who explained the importance of clear communication and ethical negotiation in business. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to encode their messages accurately and to develop negotiation skills such as confidence, product knowledge, and BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement).

Ms. Gifty Afi Cudjoe took the participant through ‘Time Management.’ She provided strategies for managing time effectively as business owners. She outlined some techniques including creating to-do lists, prioritising activities, delegating tasks, and setting aside CEO time for strategic business thinking.

Dr. Tweneboah-Koduah engaged participants in Sales and Marketing Plans & Personal Financial Management. He emphasised understanding the target market, maintaining brand consistency, and utilising the 7 Ps of marketing (Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process, and Physical Evidence). In personal finance, he stressed separating personal and business finances, keeping proper records, and using accounting software for financial planning.
Additionally, Mr. Mohammed Maahi explained the concept of Book and Records Keeping and Budgeting. He discussed the importance of maintaining proper records for business success. Mr. Maahi introduced the participants to the various bookkeeping tools and emphasised on budgeting as a guide for implementing business activities.
Participants expressed enthusiasm about the new skills acquired, noting the programme’s potential to enhance their business operations. Participants also had a tour of the Kumasi Business Incubator (KBI) and were awarded a Certificate of Honour for participating in the Professional Training Programme for Women Entrepreneurs.