The Kayayei Empowerment Program, spearheaded by the National Entrepreneurship Innovation Program (NEIP) and with significant backing from Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has recently seen the graduation of 600 women from the Madina and Ashaiman areas. This initiative is part of a broader effort to uplift and empower Kayayei—female head porters who typically migrate from northern Ghana to cities in search of work. These women often face extreme poverty and harsh working conditions, earning very little while enduring significant physical strain.
Recognizing the plight of these women, the NEIP, with government support, developed a three-week intensive training program aimed at equipping Kayayei with marketable skills that could help them transition from their current roles into more stable and potentially lucrative occupations. The training covered a range of vocational skills, including soap making, baking, bead making, and makeup artistry. The idea behind these specific skills is that they are relatively easy to learn, require minimal startup capital, and have a ready market, allowing the women to quickly begin generating income.
The program is part of a larger initiative that aims to empower a total of 5,000 women by the end of the year. The ultimate goal is to provide these women with the tools they need to start their own small businesses, thereby helping them to break the cycle of poverty and contribute meaningfully to the Ghanaian economy.
During the graduation ceremony, the women expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to improve their lives. Many of them shared their aspirations to use the skills they’ve acquired to start businesses that will not only support themselves and their families but also create employment opportunities for others in their communities.
Vice President Bawumia, who has been a strong advocate for the program, highlighted the government’s commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable populations through practical interventions. He emphasized that the success of the Kayayei Empowerment Program is a testament to what can be achieved when government policies are effectively implemented to address the needs of the people.
The program’s success has also drawn attention to the potential for similar initiatives in other parts of the country. With continued support and expansion, there is hope that many more women across Ghana can be lifted out of poverty and given the chance to lead more prosperous lives.
This initiative is not just about economic empowerment; it is also about restoring dignity to women who have long been marginalized and overlooked. The Kayayei Empowerment Program represents a significant step forward in addressing gender inequality and providing women with the opportunities they need to succeed.
