The USAID Feed the Future Ghana Market Systems and Resilience (MSR) Activity has formalised and empowered 80 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Upper East Region to enhance their operations and strengthen their market nets.
The MSMEs received business registration certifications to push them to the formal sector, open doors to credit and reposition them to take advantage of government support and new market opportunities.
The Ghana MSR Activity also provided essential business management skills for the entreprenuers, record keeping, financial management, digital literacy and sector specific technical skills as part of efforts to improve their operations and resilience.
The 80 beneficiaries were among 300 MSMEs, owned mostly by the youth, women and persons with disability, being formalised across the Northern, North East, Upper East and Upper West regions under the MSMEs Formalisation and Skills Development Project.
It is aimed at enhancing competitiveness, increasing income levels and improving livelihoods of the entrepreneurs who had ventured into various products in the agribusiness value chain.
The initiative followed an assessment conducted by the Ghana MSR Activity, which found that more than 70 per cent of the MSMEs had not registered their enterprises, a situation that was limiting their access to markets, credit and other opportunities.
Mr. Glenn A. Lines, the Chief of Party, MSR Activity, in a speech read on his behalf at the presentation ceremony in Bolgatanga, said the project was committed to reaching many more entrepreneurs to contribute to building an inclusive economy through MSMEs development.
“This ceremony isn’t about receiving certificates, it represents your commitment to growth, your willingness to adapt, and your vision for stronger business future,” he said.
Mr. Musa Salifu Taylor, the Capacity Building Team Leader, MSR Activity, said the objectives of the project were to increase institutional capacity of market actors and create an enabling environment for them.
“Formalisation is not just a step towards compliance; it is a gateway to unlocking new opportunities, accessing financial and market resources, and driving sustainable growth,” he said.
“This project enhanced skills development and capacity among MSMEs within MSR Zone of Influence (ZOI) in the Upper East Region, which enabled participants to better manage their businesses, and understand how to maintain accurate records, among others,” he said.
Ms Gifty Akapule, the Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Specialist, Ghana MSR Activity, said apart from the business certificates that had been handed over to the entrepreneurs, the project was working to rope the beneficiaries into the digital revolution.
She said MTN merchant Sim cards would be procured and registered free of charge for them and link them up with the relevant institutions and stakeholders to ensure their growth.
Madam Mavis Awuni, the Administrator, Upper East Regional Office, Ghana Enterprise Agency, commended the MSR Activity for empowering the MSMEs and said it would boost their businesses and increase income levels.
Source: GNA
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