By Christabel Danso ABEAM
In a strategic effort to bolster Ghana’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), MTN Ghana, Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) and the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Ghana Awards (SMEGA) have jointly launched the SME Acceleration Programme.
The initiative, unveiled in Accra, aims to enhance business capacity, promote formalisation and improve market access for SMEs. It is also intended to stimulate SME growth and foster economic resilience across critical sectors of the economy.
Speaking at the launch, Mohammed Abubakari-Sidick, Senior Manager for SME at MTN Ghana, revealed that the programme will run from May to November, offering participating SMEs comprehensive capacity-building sessions. Modules will include product packaging, customer service, branding and value addition.
“We have over a hundred SMEs attending today’s edition, and they will be taken through the necessary training to foster development in their respective sectors,” he noted.
He further indicated that SMEs unable to attend the sessions in person would have the opportunity to participate in the MTN SME Fair and Market Stall, which aims to give businesses exposure to potential buyers and wider markets.
Emmanuel Brahuah, Partnership and Schemes Officer at GCB, stated in an interview that the bank’s role as the financial partner includes delivering a robust support package combining financing, digital connectivity and training.
“GCB will offer a suite of SME-centred solutions, including flexible business loans, overdrafts, working capital support and specially tailored accounts with minimal entry barriers,” he explained.
He added that GCB will also expand its financial literacy programmes and digital banking platforms for convenience, while providing sector-specific support in areas such as agribusiness, trade and manufacturing. These efforts are aimed at helping SMEs scale up, operate more efficiently and remain resilient in a competitive economic landscape.
Chief Executive Officer of SMEGA, Kwesi Ofori Jnr., praised MTN Ghana for initiating the SME Acceleration Programme and pledged that SMEGA would work to ensure maximum participation.
“We are committed to ensuring that the majority of SMEs, if not all, benefit from this insightful programme,” he said.
