By Christabel DANSO ABEAM
The Business Advisory Service Providers Association of Ghana (BASPAG) and Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG), with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment (GTI) activity, have developed and launched a Business Development Service (BDS) application and Ghana Business Directory to harness technology integration by small and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), particularly those in the agribusiness sector.
The BDS application and Ghana Business Directory are aimed at providing business development services, listing and profiling, searches and discoveries – and catering specifically for needs of Ghanaian SMEs in the agribusiness industry.
The application – with features such as real-time updates, user-friendly interfaces and customisable services to meet distinctive needs of different businesses – will enable SMEs to connect with BASPAG’s and CAG’s network of business advisory professionals, facilitating direct interactions and consultations.
This initiative is in its initial deployment phase and set to benefit over two-hundred SMEs and institutions in the country over the next six to twelve months – also empowering business owners with tailored guidance and support, boosting their capacity to make well-informed decisions and implement effective business strategies.
The BDS application and Ghana Business Directorate launching aligns with CAG and BASPAG’s commitment to fostering private investment and expanding trade, ultimately contributing to Ghana’s economic development and resilience.
Both the BDS application and Ghana Business Directorate can be downloaded from Google Play Store and Appstore.
Speaking at the launch, themed ‘Empowering Ghana agribusiness: Unlocking Growth through Digital Innovation’, Juliana Asante-Dartey, Deputy Chief Executive Office-Agri Impact Group, emphasised the important role SMEs play in the agricultural sector; and also indicated that they serve a critical role in the economic sector, hence the need to embrace technology.
She said: “Agriculture has long been the backbone of the country’s economy, contributing approximately 20% to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product and providing employment for nearly 44% of its population; and within this sector, SMEs serve as the engine of growth, driving innovation, sustainability and economic progress – hence the need for harnessing technology to revolutionise agribusiness in the country”.
Highlighting the role technology plays in agro-economic development, she said technology has the power to transform agribusiness operations and make them more efficient, agile, productive and profitable… adding that precision farming techniques, digital market places and technological solutions are enhancing productivity, reducing waste and opening new markets for farmers.
Ms. Asante-Dartey further stressed a need to put inclusivity at the forefront of technological advancement, saying: “Innovation is not just about efficiency, it’s also about creating new opportunities for growth and ensuring that these opportunities are accessible to everyone. It is important that we promote and develop technological solutions that are accessible to all – regardless of size, scale or location – to ensure no one is left behind”.
She also advocated for developing user-friendly, affordable solutions that can be easily adopted by smallholder farmers, women entrepreneurs, youth and, persons with disabilities in order to bridge the digital divide and ensure the benefits of technological innovation are widely distributed.
President-BASPAG, Sam Atiemo, also explained that the app is a catalyst and beacon of hope for SMEs waiting to be connected with consultancy and better manage their businesses, access technologies, access export markets and get access to financial assistance for sustainably developing their businesses.
He added that the platform will encourage a credible transaction immediately, efficiently at minimal cost, enhance productivity and increase sales.
Speaking on other benefits of the app, he revealed that the platform will help BASPAG reach an estimated five thousand SMEs and facilitate their sales to approximately US$5million.
Mr. Atiemo further urged SMEs to take advantage of the platform to develop their businesses.
Nikaj van Wees, Chief of Party-GTI, also called for more collaboration in order to contribute immensely to SMEs, the agricultural sector and economy as a whole.
“By joining forces, resources and leveraging each other’s strength, we can create a lasting impact and drive positive change across the country.”
About the partners
BASPAG
BASPAG is dedicated to supporting SMEs’ development in Ghana by providing high-quality business advisory services and working closely with stakeholders to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of Ghanaian businesses.
CAG
CAG supports smallholder producer-led cooperatives and agribusiness with technical, market and regulatory services – with utmost commitment to playing a leadership role that is solely dedicated to enriching the agribusiness sector in Ghana through deliberate advocacy, lobbying, capacity-building and rural financing.
Feed the Future
Feed the Future is the US government’s global hunger and food security initiative that works to give families and communities in the world freedom and opportunity to lift themselves out of food insecurity and malnutrition.
