Women in Progress works to achieve economic independence of women and alleviate poverty at a grassroots level in Ghana through the sustainable growth of small women-owned businesses. Women in Progress believes that the best way to improve the standard of living for those living in poverty is by introducing innovative solutions to expand women-owned businesses in order to generate new jobs and increase income levels.



Women in Progress carries out our objectives through our deep-rooted values and guiding principles.



Corporate Values:

Unyielding integrity

Commitment to performance

Aspiration for global change



Guiding Principles:

Be accountable for all that we do

Measure our success by that of those we help

Promote teamwork

Respect the diversity and contributions of each individual



Our History

The two founders, Renae Adam and Kristin Johnson, met in 1992 in Ghana during their tenure in the US Peace Corps. Stationed in nearby communities [1992–1995], they collaborated on many projects working to empower women. Both Renae and Kristin fell in love with Ghana, its people, and the drive of many business women to grow their enterprises in order to provide better lives for their children.



Over the next eight years as the co-founders obtained MBAs and gained valuable experience in the corporate and nonprofit worlds, they continued to volunteer their time in finding markets abroad for several women batikers in Ghana. Seeing noticeable improvements in the quality of life of the women as a result of their limited volunteer time, they decided form a nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of women in Africa. Women in Progress was established as a US nonprofit corporation in May 2002. The US operation, led by Kristin, focuses on finding markets for the products made by women in Ghana and recruiting local volunteers and students to donate their expertise to female micro entrepreneurs.



Relocating to Ghana, Renae established the organization as a local NGO in Ghana in September 2002 and began offering business development services in March of 2003. Since that time, utilizing small private donations, Women in Progress has been able to extend exporting services to many woman-led businesses in Ghana.



Programs

Women in Progress’ research shows that a significant component missing in programs advancing the sustainable growth of small businesses is personalized consulting services that assist women entrepreneurs in integrating, and executing business and technology best practices into their specific companies. Most women entrepreneurs aren’t deficient in the basic business training, but rather lack the post-training support needed when they encounter barriers to putting into practice what they have learned.



The “assisted-implementation” approach is used by Women in Progress to achieve success. What this means is that Women in Progress directly assists women entrepreneurs in removing the barriers they face when attempting to implement innovative business and technological strategies into their day-to-day operations.



Women in Progress consulting teams collaborate with women entrepreneurs to translate their ideas into realistic business plans, which define measurable objectives, realistic tasks and an estimated timeline for completion. The three programs offered by Women in Progress take a hands-on approach to improving internal efficiencies, competing more effectively in existing markets, gaining access to new markets, and engaging in international trade:



--Training & Support

--Business Development

--International Trade