OUR IMPACT

Economic Empowerment for Women

GWF loan facilities have benefited 27 Rural and Community Banks in 7 Regions, with beneficiaries numbering over fourteen thousand (14,620) since 2006. These are Brong Ahafo, Volta, Central, Greater Accra, Eastern, Western and Northern Regions.

Report from the beneficiary Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) demonstrated the impact our Fund is making in their communities.

The loans served as a means of empowerment by supporting women’s economic participation and helped to improve household wellbeing. Our loans through the RCBs helped a lot of low income households to invest in their own businesses, expand their business by increasing their stock. The customers after paying their loans were also able to make savings that helped improve their life. The saving culture of the clients rose due to the benefits they gained out of it including payment of children school fees, rent and medical expenses.

Furthermore, the confidence levels of the women were boosted. In this regard, some of the women are now occupying positions in Unit Committees, Church and other community groups.

Interviews conducted with beneficiaries during our operations monitoring revealed the following impacts on their businesses and lives.

The Credit facility has improved their earnings and the availability of resources. The loan increased their working capital and expanded their businesses, thereby creating job opportunities in their communities. The loan also helped to increase gender equality and those who were less privileged now have access to funding thereby increasing their sales and income. Some were equipped with entrepreneurial skills and contributed in stabilizing their business capital and now enjoying financial security which has improved their living conditions and that of their families.

The Impact of our Operation on Women, Women Businesses and Partner Institutions

Impact – Wholesale Loans

GWF loan facilities have benefited 27 Rural and Community Banks in 7 Regions, with beneficiaries numbering over fourteen thousand (14,620) since 2006. The regions are Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Volta and Western Regions. Reports from beneficiary Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) demonstrated the impact the Fund is making on their businesses and quality of life. The loans served as a means of empowerment by supporting women’s participation in the national economy and improved household. The loans through the RCBs helped a lot of low income households to invest and expand their businesses.

Impact – Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs)

GWF’s Credit facility has improved the accessibility and availability of credit to market women in Accra and beyond. The loans increased their working capital and expanded their businesses, thereby creating job opportunities in their communities. The loans also promote gender and economic equality. The less privileged now have access to funding thereby increasing their sales and income. They are able to look after their families especially cater for their children’s education.

Impact – Salaried Loans

The facility benefited workers in institutions and Unions. Some of their success stories demonstrated tremendous improvement in the quality of their lives - furthering their wards education, payment of rent and support of their spouses businesses.

Impact – Partner Institutions

Our Partner Institutions mainly Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) also continue to testify about the impact of the Fund’s support on their own operations over the years and increase on their profitability. The facility continues to serve as a cushion against withdrawals during the lean season for the beneficiary Rural and Community Banks.

GWF as a KIVA Field Partner

GWF’s partnership with KIVA started in 2014 when an Agreement between the two parties was signed. KIVA provides capital to facilitate GWF’s Soft Window to support the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector as well as Micro businesses. In January 2019, an amount of GH¢54,000 was disbursed to 10 Borrowers for Water and Sanitation and General Business purposes including water vendors, hairdressers, fishermen, fishmongers, retailers and other traders. Up to 80% of the beneficiaries were women. This increased the clientele base of Ghana Women Fund. Unfortunately, in February 2019, KIVA temporarily suspended its Partnership Agreement with Ghana Women Fund due to its Lenders Policy to fund up to 30% of GWF’s Gross Loan Portfolio. Efforts are being made to have the Suspension lifted