By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Oct. 17, GNA – The MTN Ghana Foundation has launched the 2024 edition of the MTN Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Support programme in the Central Region to officially commence the disbursement of grants to some 50 fledgling businesses in the region.
The programme seeks to lend financial and business development support to micro and small businesses led by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), women, and the youth.
The beneficiaries were among 65 people who participated in a two-day competitive pitch session in July and will now receive funds up to GHS20,000 and technical training to grow their businesses.
Their businesses include rabbitry, piggery, farming, agro-processing, fish processing, shoemaking, crocheting, and sewing.
Innohub, a business development organisation and partner in the programme, would offer the businesses training in customer relations, financial management, branding, digital marketing, packaging, among others.
In all, 150 businesses from the Central, Volta and Eastern regions would benefit from a grant of two million Cedis, an increase of 100 per cent of the amount for the first edition in 2023.
Madam Adwoa Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Ghana, explained that the support programme fell under the economic empowerment agenda of MTN Foundation and was intended to drive growth in the SMEs sector.
She observed that SMEs were the engine of economic development but businesses in the sector were often challenged with difficulty in accessing capital and training to survive.
“We decided that it is important for us to support such businesses to grow and for them to take advantage of the digital opportunities that are opened to them,” she noted.
She was also hopeful that the support programme would drive down unemployment among the youth.
Madam Wiafe explained that the monies would be disbursed over time and that the amount beneficiaries received would be informed by the needs of their businesses.
She urged them to leverage the digital space, particularly social media to reach wider market and properly package their products and service to make them more competitive globally.
“We hope you take the training seriously and put the monies to good use,” she added.
Mr Ebenezer Terpker, Advisor on Education, MTN Ghana Foundation, entreated the entrepreneurs to learn from one another and build networks that would turn around their businesses.
“Together, we can create a prosperous business community that benefits our businesses and transforms societies,” he said.
Mr Nelson Amoh, Executive Director, Innohub, expressed the hope that the beneficiary businesses would grow, increase their customer base, increase their revenue and leverage the various platforms offered by MTN.
He urged them to be financially disciplined to keep their businesses growing over time.
“Do not see this as free money to waste, but a critical seed you are receiving in your business, and as you multiply that, you will grow bigger in your business.
“As you are getting the support from MTN, you should also look at how you can create jobs for young people, women and Persons with Disabilities in the country,” he said.
Madam Millicent Bentum, a fishmonger, shared her challenges in accessing capital and thanked MTN for the support.
Mr Ekow Panyin Mensah, a young pig farmer, also expressed gratitude to MTN for supporting him to expand his business.
“As unemployed graduates, we go through a lot and there’s a social expectation that you must get a white-collar job. But going into agriculture and having a company like MTN support me is a great feeling,” added.
GNA