International Women’s Day -Supporting Women Artisans in Savelugu With Digital Skills
On 9th March 2026, Thrive Nest Ghana marked International Women’s Day with a focused digital business training for women artisans in Savelugu in the Northern Region. Held at Yoo R/C Basic School, the session brought together over one hundred participants from the Master Craft Associations, creating a lively space for learning, discussion, and practical exposure to digital tools that can strengthen small businesses.
Organized in collaboration with Ghana TVET Service and MTN Ghana, the training reflected a shared commitment to equipping women entrepreneurs with relevant skills for today’s business environment.
Why This Training Matters
Many women entrepreneurs already rely on WhatsApp to communicate with customers. However, most are not yet using WhatsApp Business, a version designed specifically to support business growth. This gap presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
The training aimed to bridge that gap by introducing simple, accessible tools that can help women manage customer interactions, promote their products, and present their businesses more professionally. At the same time, it addressed a critical issue for small business owners: mobile money security.
Inside the Training Session
The programme opened with remarks from the Ghana TVET Service, setting the tone for a day centered on practical learning and empowerment. The session quickly moved into an interactive discussion led by Thrive Nest’s Communications Associate, Radia Issah, who engaged participants by drawing from their everyday business experiences.
Rather than starting with technical explanations, the conversation began with a simple question: how do you usually tell people about your business? This approach made it easier to introduce the concept of a structured business profile using WhatsApp Business.
Participants were then guided through key features of the platform, including how to:
- Create a business profile that clearly explains what they offer
- Add a business location to improve visibility
- Set up product catalogues to display goods and services
- Use automated messages to respond to customers efficiently
- Share direct links that make it easier for customers to reach them
The session also touched on managing product availability and using broadcast messages to communicate updates and promotions.
Strengthening Financial Security
Beyond digital marketing, the programme placed strong emphasis on financial safety. MTN Ghana facilitated a session on mobile money security, addressing common risks faced by small business owners.
Participants learned practical steps to protect themselves from fraud, including safeguarding their PINs, avoiding suspicious calls, and keeping personal and business accounts separate. The introduction of the Merchant SIM card also generated interest, as it offers a more secure way to handle business transactions.
Engagement and Impact
The level of participation throughout the session was notable. Many women shared their current practices, asked questions, and connected the training directly to their own businesses. The interactive format made the session relatable and easy to follow, even when technical concepts were introduced.
By the end of the training, participants had a clearer understanding of how digital tools can improve their business operations. They also left with increased awareness of how to protect their finances in an increasingly digital economy.
Looking Ahead
The impact of the training does not end with a single session. A follow-up engagement is already planned to provide hands-on support, guiding participants step by step in setting up and using WhatsApp Business for their enterprises.
There are also plans to continue supporting participants who showed interest in the Merchant SIM, ensuring they can safely manage their business transactions.
More broadly, the collaboration between Thrive Nest Ghana, Ghana TVET Service, and MTN Ghana will continue to expand, with the goal of reaching more women entrepreneurs across different communities.
A Step Toward Digital Inclusion
This International Women’s Day initiative was more than a training session. It was a practical step toward digital inclusion, business growth, and financial awareness for women artisans in Savelugu.
The enthusiasm and engagement shown by participants point to a strong readiness to adopt digital tools when given the right support. With continued guidance and collaboration, these women are better positioned to grow their businesses and navigate the evolving digital landscape with confidence.
Empower. Innovate. Thrive.