Network of Women in Growth Ghana meets with SMEs
The Network of Women in Growth (NEWIG) Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has appealed to the government to provide infrastructure and multi-purpose business centres which would serve as alternative markets for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
The Executive Director of NEWIG Ghana, Ms Mawusi Nudekor Awity, who made the remark at a forum for smallholder farmers at New Edubiase in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region, said such centres could include stores, retail outlets, exhibition halls, packaging and processing workshops.
The forum also formed part of activities earmarked to implement phase two of NEWIG Ghana’s economic governance project in the district, which is being funded by the African Women Development Fund (AWDF).
Local trade network
The forum was used to inaugurate a new branch of the local trade network known as the Adansi South Local Trade Network (ASLTN), that groups beneficiaries of the project for the growth and sustainability of their businesses in the district.
There was also a trade show for the beneficiaries that provided the SMEs with the opportunity to engage with the district assembly, traditional council and the financial institutions in the Adansi South District, to discuss challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and small-scale farmers and the way forward for a vibrant business environment.
Ms Awity said the growth and development of SMEs could best be achieved through collaboration and partnership with all major stakeholders, with each playing its role effectively and efficiently.
“To promote SME development, a more conducive business environment must be created. This includes the formulation of appropriate SME policies, the institution of appropriate structures to promote
SME development, the availability of the institutional capacity of government agencies to effectively deliver services to the private sector, an increased capacity of SMEs to leverage investment funds, as well as an improved market information system,” she observed.
Growth of SMEs
Ms Awity called for interventions to support the growth and profitability of SMEs in rural areas, stressing the need for appropriate and relevant measures to meet the needs of businesses at every level of the growth ladder.
The trade show also equipped the participants with applicable entrepreneurial skills in order to increase the incomes of the SME operators through market expansion, increased sales and business linkages at the local level.
The NEWIG acting Project Officer, Mr Wesley Owusu, advised the Adansi South District Assembly to accept trade shows as strategic and positive interventions for trade development, and support such initiatives within the framework of entrepreneurship development strategy.