Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Abuduli Abdui-Ganiyu, has stated that the government will disburse 8 billion to help boost Ghanaian businesses under the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Growth and Opportunities program.
To him, the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Trade and Industry have collaborated with the Ghana Enterprises Agency, Ghana Export-Import (GEXIM) Bank, and Development Bank Ghana to support business operators.
Dr. Abuduli Ganiyu explained that the program was funded by Ghana Enterprises Agency, Ghana Export-Import (GEXIM) Bank, and Development Bank Ghana to address business challenges, particularly in accessing finances and enhancing capacity.
Speaking during the stakeholder sensitization on the SMEs Growth and Opportunities (SME GO) Program in the Eastern Region, Dr. Abuduli Ganiyu said that the government is committed to achieving success and prosperous goals through the program and reducing its challenges.
Dr. Abuduli Ganiyu affirmed that the program was designed to provide SMEs with access to finance, capacity building, and market linkages and to address challenges such as access to finance, regulatory environment, and market access.
Hon. Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, Deputy Trade Minister, indicated that the Growth and Opportunity program prioritizes targeted interventions to support the government’s goal of creating SME champions.
Hon. Ahenkorah Marfo charged Ghanaians to take the program as an opportunity to maximize the growth of their businesses, as it focuses on breaking barriers for SMEs.
He articulated that the SMEs served as the backbone of Ghana’s economic growth, accounting for 92 percent of existing companies, 85 percent of manufacturing jobs, and 70 percent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Hon. Ahenkorah Marfo underscored the program’s main objectives, which are to help develop a sustainable financial framework targeting the private and public sectors to scale up financial and technical support toward the SMEs.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, on his part indicated that the initiative aimed at supporting the growth and development of SMEs in the country.
Hon. Seth Acheampong called for togetherness to enhance the program reach by fostering a supportive ecosystem for SMEs to thrive in the Eastern Region and beyond.
He recommended key components of an effective communication strategy for the initiative, which include program branding, website development, social media platforms, stakeholder engagement, media outreach, events and workshops, success stories, partnerships, monitoring and evaluation, and a quarterly newsletter.
Madam Angela Mensah Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN Ghana also said that as a technology partner, MTN remains focused on supporting SMEs for the new digital world.
She disclosed that MTN has provided training to SMEs on MTN products and services to be more productive and to help track inventories.
Madam Angela Poku said that MTN will continue its partnering role to empower the SMEs in the country, adding they will organize capacity-building workshops for SMEs on bookkeeping, digital, and online marketing.
Source: Akosua Asabea Kropa/Solomon Nartey
