In Ghana, women and the youth face inherently different constraints including

psychological and cultural factors. Female entrepreneurs often lack access to financial and human

capital, which impedes business growth; they have different mindset constraints, such as risk

aversion; and have not caught up in soft skills, such as leadership. In addition, women have culturally

imposed constraints that psychologically and physically impede their independence, aspiration, and

priorities.

Skills development is key to improving household productivity, employability and income earning opportunities for women. It also enhances food security and promotes environmentally sustainable rural development and livelihood. In Ghana, women have historically been underrepresented in the industries that drive technology, science, math, engineering, computers, and allied disciplines.

 Young women continue to experience unequal access to education and skills development in the areas of STEM and TVET, and as such face barriers to securing decent employment and opportunities to thrive in sustainable careers. Due to this, the thought of taking the STEM road by women is mostly less traveled, and most of them feel uncomfortable pursuing a STEM education to occupy STEM leadership roles.

Our primary focus is on environmental and social factors, but as any leader knows, governance cannot be hermetically separated from other aspects of life. Indeed, thriving in governance necessitates mastering not just the letter but also the spirit of the law, such as anticipating infractions and assuring transparency and conversation with regulators rather than submitting a report and waiting for the results.

It has recently become even more important to think about and act on ESG in a proactive manner. In August 2019, the US Business Roundtable issued a new statement emphasizing businesses' responsibility to a wide range of stakeholders, including customers, employees, suppliers, communities, and, of course, shareholders. ESG-oriented investing has seen stratospheric growth in tandem with this developing ethos. Global sustainable investment has surpassed $30 trillion, a 68 percent increase since 2014 and a tenfold increase since 2004.

Covid-19 has sparked greater concern for all and sundry to participate in supporting and providing for the health care needs of citizens especially women, the aged, and children. These categories of people are the most vulnerable and suffer greatly in the event of outbreaks and pandemics.

It is against this background that we felt the need to support quality health care, especially in the remote parts of the country to assist in addressing the health needs of women, children, and the aged.

To achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030, policymakers and institutions ought to pay attention to women. This can be done through innovative reforms and policies aimed at reducing the inequalities that exist at all levels (UN Women 2017).

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This focus area seeks to support women entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and innovate toward addressing developmental challenges.

It is true that in Ghana, societal attitudes and norms inhibit some women from even considering starting a business, while systemic barriers mean that many women entrepreneurs stay confined to very small businesses, often operating in the informal economy. This does not only limits their ability to earn an income for themselves and their families but impedes them from realizing their full potential to contribute to socio-economic development, job creation, and environmental stewardship

The Informal sector also known as ‘Unorganized Sector’ is the largest market in Africa, employing more than 100 million people. Since the overwhelming populace are located in the informal sector, the focus of education and research must be to addressing the sector’s challenges which include the subject of inclusivity, labour processes, working conditions and efficient skillset. The informal sector is the single biggest employer on the African continent. The sector contributes to 70% of the continent’s employment. In Ghana, women constitute about 90% of the labor force in the informal sector (GSS, 2013). By 2030, Africa will be having the largest workforce in the world. Over 1.1 billion people will be roaming around the African continent in search of jobs and better opportunities. Such statistics present the informal sector as an important avenue that must be intentionally built and made inclusive to unleash the fullest potential of the widely untapped African workforce. This area is on the lookout for mobile technologies suitable for the informal sector.