The Association for African Owned Businesses (AAOE) in the UK has invited The Point to attend their African Women’s Conference in London, where on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, the Rt Hon Lynne Featherstone MP - Under-Secretary of State for Equalities is expected to attend.
In a communiqué to this correspondent, the president of the association, Washington Kapapiro, explained what was expected during the event, including the personalities attending and theme of the conference, which could be very useful to Gambian businesses.
The association which aims at helping both small and large owner-managers and self-employed businesspeople, especially those of ethnic minority background, also intends to help people run a more profitable venture.
This is not the first time The Point is being invited to such conferences organised by the association.
This correspondent has particular interest in it due to the opportunities it can give Gambians, Senegalese and other West African business owners.
Both Gambian men and women in the UK, for example, have been doing extremely well in their various businesses, and such networking may be useful to them.
The theme of the conference: "Making a Difference - African Women in Business", as outlined in its agenda was described as "inspirational, informative, empowering".
The conference which will also involve those interested to run their own "business or interested in starting-up", as well as those who have "children and interested in getting back to work or starting a business". Those with a "burning desire but lack confidence" or "contacts" will be assisted.
As a result, other important personalities such as Caroline Marsh, a leading property investor, Star of Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire, Betty Makoni, founder of the Girl Child Network, a multiple award winning activist, Margaret Sentamu, president of Mildmay International, the wife of Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, Mavis Amankwa, award winning PR and marketing expert, Griselda Togobo, a business consultant and small business expert, Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell, a writer and the Executive Director of the African Peoples Advocacy (APA) will be attending.
There are several important topics to be covered, including "African women in the UK - Opportunities and Equalities in Enterprise UK; barriers vs benefits of being in the UK and levelling the playing-field; African women and leadership - Exploring the significance of women getting into leadership positions to inspire young girls and women in Africa; African women in the Diaspora - exploring the significance of being in the Diaspora and the role women can play in the development of the continent; Diversity & Equality in the workplace. The challenges, the obstacles of such achievements will also be discussed.
There will also be an exhibition of African-women run businesses at the conference.
According to the organisers, this "display will showcase the successes over the past ten years of African women in Enterprise (UK)".
