The third and fourth editions of the capacity-building workshops organized by the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and Development Bank Ghana (DBG) benefited more than 230 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Tarkwa and Takoradi.

The collaboration presents a business skills development programme, where 1000 Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be trained to enable them to remain competitive to enhance their business operations. The programme seeks to de-risk these businesses towards accessing long-term capital. Specifically targeting SMEs in the Agribusiness, Manufacturing and High-value services with consideration for women-led businesses, youth-led businesses, and environmental and social management systems.

The President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mr. Clement Osei-Amoako acknowledged the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) for its cooperation and support during the four editions held in Accra on August 15, Koforidua on August 31, Tarkwa on September 13 and Takoradi on September 15, 2022. In all, 400 business participants have been trained with more than forty percent (40%) being women-owned businesses.

Commending the government, he said the establishment of DBG is an enabler for businesses in Ghana and a long-term capital provider for the market. This he said has come at a crucial moment to address the difficulty in accessing long-term capital amidst the rising cost of doing business owing to both local and global shocks. “More importantly, GNCCI calls for a smart, innovative and indigenous way of addressing the collateral-issue in order not to impede business access to capital. Also, DBG’s Participating Financial Institutions must ensure that bankable projects are given the nod to boost the confidence of our businesses as well as entrepreneurs” he cautioned.

Accordingly, the capacity-building workshop in Takoradi is the fourth edition as earlier indicated with the next editions scheduled for Cape Coast to conclude the first phase. The key deliverables of this targeted business support service are as follows:

• Identify eligible MSMEs and organise workshops, seminars, and business clinics on topics of relevance;
• On-board these MSMEs on the digital platform, GIFE;
• Provide administrative support to MSMEs in applying for loans from the PFIs by reviewing loan applications before submission to the PFIs;
• Organise SME clinics, mentoring and coaching sessions to provide handholding for the MSMEs that are unsuccessful in accessing loans from the PFIs; and
• Embarking on periodic and scheduled visits to the businesses of participants to follow up on applications of interventions.

Mr. Osei-Amoako emphasized the GNCCI’s readiness for the next steps to sustain the momentum of the initiative. He noted that, the Chamber has developed a holistic framework for the setup of the GNCCI SME Clinic Desk at respective branches to provide technical and administrative support to businesses that meet the eligibility criteria of DBG. “The desk will review loan applications from the businesses, follow-up on businesses that have not been successful, and continue providing technical and administrative support to new and eligible members” he said 

He reassures industry players at the workshop of the GNCCI’s dedication to promoting and protecting commercial and industrial interests via its cutting-edge business support services. “Now is a better time to join and partner with the GNCCI to build a resilient and competitive private sector” he said.