By Janet Sesay
One of the leading Telecommunications Companies in the country, Orange Sierra Leone, has patronized with Business women with a view to building their capacities in the form of training that seeks to provide useful skill sets and mentoring follow-ups that would enhance their business enterprises.
During a press conference at their head office at Hill Station on Wednesday 29th June 2018, the External and Government Relation Manager Hawa Bah gave a brief over view of the company.
Madam Madeline Sahr Marrah who is the Chief Executive officer for Orange Money stated that this initiative that they are about to start with business women means a lot to the nation and the local economy.
She argued that if Orange Money is to succeed, they as a company should be interested in the businesses of women for they are the ones running homes to upkeep their families.
She said if the women are desirous to improve on their lives and business they need to join the kind of facilities that Orange Money has to offer.
This is the consideration that inspired the company to partner with women in business by building their capacities for sustainable turn-over.
She disclosed that the registration for Orange Money is free, the only thing being, they applicant must have a valid identity card.
Corporate Affairs Director Barry Honnah said they as a company want to work hand in hand with business women in the country and to ensure that their businesses thrive.
This initiative will seek to provide basic tips and ideas on how to manage and expand small businesses that women are engaged in.
After the training and mentoring exercise, Orange will deploy monitors to see how various beneficiaries are getting along their businesses.
The essence of supportive follow-up after the training is to determine areas of weaknesses and other vital guidance that will ensure that the business women under the scheme succeed.
He said the company is a “combra company” which means that they have to be concerned about the interest of their consumers and the general public.
Orange is of the conviction that by virtue of the fact that they have been operating in the country for quite some time now, the company is moral obliged to give back to society and this initiative is a reflection of that commitment to the people of Sierra Leone.
Farming and adult literacy for interested business women have also been earmarked; and the company has promised to show interest in these cited areas by providing training packages for rural residents in the not too far distant future.
Madam Rokhaya Solange Mbeng, Director of Sonatel from Dakar, said theirs is a very big company and they are here to do business with women in the country. She said women are powerful all over the world especially when it comes to income generation and family upkeep.
She disclosed that they have tried and tested this scheme in other parts of continent and are here to help women of Sierra Leone.
She said women need to be more powerful in the use of digital opportunities including social media as powerful channels of advertising their products to maximize sales.
She said with Orange Money, business women will be able to develop their skills and increase their income, noting that digital social media opportunities such as whatsapp and facebook are for all persons, “you only need to know the process of operating these digital applications and showcase your products worldwide.”
The Chief Executive Officer for the company Aminata Kane Ndiaye said this is the first step of the partnership and that they would want to get feedback on the needs of business women.
This process, she stressed, has the effect of guiding the company in tailoring support for other women doing business in the country. She implied that this effort is a win-win situation for them as a company and the general public.