Twenty-two small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the SNV Boosting Green Employment and Employment Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) project have ended a four-day tour to some industries in the Western Region.
Dubbed the Business to Business (B2B) tour, it was supported by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and Duapa Werkspace – an ‘incubation hub’ in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.
The tour aims to create a direct market linkage between the GrEEn SMEs and well-established companies, and to explore areas of collaboration aimed at increasing production as well as improving revenue.
Also, the tour formed part of the closure for a four-year European Union (EU) funded project on GrEEn that aims to ensure environmental sustainability, and empower women and returning migrants.
The tour took SMEs to the Ghana Water Company Limited, Roland Rice Factory, Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL), West Africa Mills Company, (WAMCo) GKV Investment, Water Treatment, Omani Garment and God is Love Chop Bar. They also visited poultry farms as well as some agro farms, among others.
They were educated on research, quality control, packaging and branding, strong organisational structure, strategic focus, target market, producing sustainable products, the need to form strategic partnerships, and prioritising customer service, relationships and satisfaction.
Chief Executive Officer of Roland Rice, Roland Jesse Prah, noted that SMEs play a vital role in driving economic growth and innovation.
He encouraged the businesses to embrace digital transformation and focus on targetted marketing; and invest in continuous learning and innovation as well as position themselves for a long-term growth and success.
He pointed out that most SMEs have a challenge when it comes to timing: “Make sure your products are always ready, so when demand comes you’ll be able to supply”.
He mentioned limited resources as one of the key factors which hinder the growth of SMEs, and urged financial institutions to support them so they can expand.
Erasmus Nunoo, CEO-GKV Investment, on his part schooled the team about product differentiation and how to stay competitive.
He also advised the SMEs to continuously follow-up on clients and get feedback for business growth.
Erasmus Akon Mensah, CEO-Duapa Werkspace, commenting on the tour said it has strengthened SMEs’ market linkages – both within the region and country as a whole.
He encouraged the SMEs to always have a back-up plan, take calculated risks, invest in staff and good organisational culture.
At the B2B tour’s end, most of the SMEs were happy with the exercise.
Some of the businesses established networks and contacts that will help in future business prospecting, linkages and growth, whiles others had the opportunity to sell their products and had contracts to supply some of their goods.
The tour was led by Albert Ababio, Western and Central Regional Manager-AGI; Eramus Ackon Mensah, CEO-Duapa Werkspace; and Madam Albert Brown-Orleans, General Manager-Duapa Werkspace.
