MTN Ghana has organised a Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) Business Clinic in Koforidua in the Eastern Region to equip business owners with skills and digital tools to sustain and expand their businesses to create more job opportunities.
The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana contribute about 80 percent to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)and created over 95 percent of jobs in Ghana.
However, the sector faces considerable challenges inhibiting business growth. SMEs have limited access to finance, technical innovation, skills and management capabilities.
Women-owned firms face even tougher challenges, as they have limited access to land, capital, and more sophisticated business practices.
Speaking at the Business Clinic event, the Senior Manager for SME Sales at MTN Ghana Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed said the initiative forms part of MTN’s SME Accelerate programme, aimed at supporting SMEs due to their critical role in Ghana’s socio-economic development.
According to him, the SME Clinic is the first of its kind in the Eastern Region this year, following similar programmes in the Volta and Ashanti regions, with three more regions expected to benefit before the end of the year.
He explained that MTN’s research revealed that many SMEs are thriving despite economic challenges but continue to face technological and operational gaps that hinder business transformation and growth.
“We are doing the clinic to build the capacity of these SMEs. There are certain technological gaps affecting their ability to transform their businesses, so MTN has decided to support through capacity-building programmes,” he stated.
Mr. Mohammed also highlighted several digital solutions introduced by MTN Business to support SMEs, including the YellowBiz solution, which provides internet connectivity, website creation services, customised business email domains, and Microsoft 365 services.
He noted that customised business email domains would help SMEs build credibility and improve their chances of attracting international partnerships and investments.
“Most SMEs use generic email addresses like Gmail.com. We want to help them create professional email addresses that reflect their businesses because it boosts credibility,” he said.
He further disclosed that MTN’s Business Eye solution, a remote surveillance camera system, allows business owners to monitor activities within their shops and offices from anywhere, especially for entrepreneurs who cannot always be physically present at their workplaces.
Mr. Mohamed stressed that MTN remains committed to empowering SMEs by bridging technology gaps and creating opportunities that would enable businesses to grow sustainably and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economy.
Participants at the clinic were taken through bookkeeping, packaging, labelling, branding, and other business management training sessions to help improve the value and marketability of their products and services
The participants commended MTN Ghana for the initiative stating that knowledge acquired will be implemented to boost their businesses .
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
