Telecommunications giant MTN Ghana, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Ghana Association Grow (SME Africa), has organized a Business Clinic in Tamale aimed at empowering small businesses under the theme “Setting Up Your Business for Growth.”
The forum brought together a diverse group of small business owners, CEOs, and entrepreneurs from various sectors to explore strategies for growth, sustainability, and competitiveness in the modern business landscape.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Eric Antwi, Regional Service Manager for the Northern Business Unit of MTN Business, said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to support the growth and digital transformation of small businesses.
“We are here to ensure that our SMEs grow. That’s the key objective,” Mr. Antwi emphasized. “This year, we introduced a flagship project called SME Accelerate, designed to help small businesses not only grow but also sustain themselves and align with global business trends.”
He outlined four strategic pillars of the SME Accelerate project, including capacity building, digital transformation, market access, and financial sustainability. According to Mr. Antwi, the initiative began in Accra and is now being rolled out across other regions, with Tamale as a key stop.
On his part, the Executive Director of SME Africa, Mr. Kwasi Ofori Junior, stressed the importance of human capital development and financial literacy for small businesses to remain competitive.
“We are in Tamale to build the capacity of SMEs,” he said. “Our focus this year is on enhancing financial literacy and helping business owners understand the importance of financial systems.
Many SMEs don’t keep proper records or appreciate the significance of financial reporting, which is crucial for sustainability.”
Mr. Ofori added that the SME Africa team is using practical case studies and real-life scenarios to train participants in four selected locations across the country, starting with Tamale.
“The customer is the lifeline of every business.
How you manage your customers, track income and expenditure, and maintain proper business structures determines whether your business will thrive,” he explained.
The Business Clinic also served as a networking platform where participants exchanged ideas and discussed challenges facing the SME sector, particularly in Northern Ghana.
Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku
