By Kodjo Adams
Accra, Oct. 14, GNA – The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has urged businesses to improve access to affordable finance and adopt digital technologies to boost productivity and competitiveness.
It said the two measures were critical to business expansion, market access and revenue growth.
Mr Tsonam Cleanse Akpeloo, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the AGI, made the call at the Association’s Regional Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Accra on Tuesday.
The meeting was held on the theme: “Unlocking Access to Finance and Embracing Digital Transformation for Business Growth.”
Mr Akpeloo said access to affordable funding remained a major challenge, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He urged members to explore practical financing options, strengthen ties with financial institutions and take advantage of available funding opportunities.
On digitalisation, he said e-commerce, digital payments, online marketing and data management could improve efficiency and help businesses reach more customers.
He advised members to acquire the skills and tools needed to adopt the technologies and compete in local and international markets.
Mr Akpeloo said the AGM would enable members to assess the Association’s performance, discuss industry challenges and set priorities for the coming year.
He said the regional branch had introduced initiatives to address members’ needs.
These included industrial visits, familiarisation tours, knowledge forums, engagements with visiting entrepreneurs and networking events.
The industrial visits allowed regional executives to interact with members at their premises and understand their operations, challenges and business opportunities, he said.
Mr Akpeloo said that networking events and engagements with visiting entrepreneurs provided opportunities for members to connect with ambassadors, diplomats and other stakeholders.
The engagements were intended to foster relationships that could lead to trade, investment and strategic partnerships.
Mr Akpeloo announced plans to organise a Diplomatic Investment and Trade Fair in March 2027.
The fair would bring together embassies, diplomatic missions, investors and businesses to explore investment opportunities and establish partnerships.
Mr Akpeloo urged members to participate in the planned activities and support them through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
Mr Seth Twum-Akwaboah, Chief Executive Officer of the AGI, said the Association had pursued several advocacy initiatives during the year.
Some had yielded positive results, while others remained under consideration, he said.
On electricity tariffs, Mr Twum-Akwaboah said the Association had engaged the Ministry of Energy, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and other stakeholders over increases affecting some large industrial consumers.
He said the affected companies had previously benefited from special electricity purchasing arrangements but their status changed at the beginning of the year.
The change resulted in electricity tariff increases of more than 40 per cent for the affected companies, he said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Kodjo Adams
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