The Ghana Enterprises Agency-ENI Ghana Economic Diversification Building Project has provided entrepreneurship, financial literacy and technical training to some 765 micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) in the Ellembele district of the Western Region.
The two-year integrated development intervention is targetted at MSMEs from 10 coastal communities: Sanzule, Krisan, Eikwe, Bakanta, Atuabo, Anokyi, Asem-nda, Ngalekpole, Ngalekyi and Baku.
The beneficiaries received further training in business management, Kaizen and occupational safety, health and environmental management training, as well as an introduction to bespoke branding and packaging. They were also supported comprehensively on how to formalise their businesses with the Office of the Registrar of Companies.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the 765 beneficiary MSMEs, deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEA, Ama Armo-Himbson, said the valuable skills provided the beneficiaries by the project will lead to job creation in the Ellembele district, in the process reducing poverty in the region.
“The Economic Diversification Building Business Project has been a successful endeavour, providing vital entrepreneurship, financial literacy and technical skills training to MSMEs in the Ellembelle district. We are proud to celebrate the graduation of 765 beneficiaries who have completed their apprenticeships and advanced technical skills training. This project has empowered them with valuable skills to start and manage their businesses, thereby creating job opportunities and improving their livelihoods,” Ms. Armo-Himbson stated in a speech she delivered on behalf of the Agency’s CEO, Kosi Yankey Ayeh.
GEA-ENI Ghana partnership
Described as the Ghanaian economy’s backbone, the MSME sector contributes about 70 percent of the nation’s GDP. Enhancing the sector’s capacity to improve productivity and job creation is therefore a priority for GEA.
It is against this backdrop that GEA in partnership with ENI Ghana and its partners launched the two-year Economic Diversification Building Business Project in 2020.
The programme adopted an integrated development approach to foster innovation, and embraced new skills and technologies to enable beneficiaries start and manage their operations more efficiently through pragmatic entrepreneurial, technical skills and business management.
