MTN Ghana organized a capacity-building session for SMEs as part of its recently launched SME Accelerate program, a comprehensive initiative to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana. The program was a collaborative effort between MTN, GCB Bank, and SME Grow Africa (SMEGA).
In an interview, Mohamed Abubakar Siddique, Head of SME Sales Team at MTN Ghana, explained that the SME Accelerate program was a nine-month initiative that would ran from May to November 2025. The program aimed to engage SMEs at various levels through different activities, including capacity-building training, SME fairs, and outreach programs. Specifically, the training program focused on areas such as product packaging and marketing, with the goal of equipping SMEs with the skills and knowledge needed to grow and thrive in the competitive business environment. Over 100 SMEs gathered for the training, which was part of the larger program that featured various activities throughout the year.
Mr. Kofi Essuman, Vice President for Education at the World Packaging Organization and executive member of the Institute of Packaging Ghana, emphasized the importance of good packaging for SMEs. He noted that poor packaging was a major challenge for SMEs, preventing them from meeting market demands and accessing new markets. "It grieves me when we continue to lament that we are exporting commodities," he said. "But there is a growing number of SMEs who are into all kinds of products, and unfortunately, one area that prevents them from meeting market demands is the packaging, the quality of the packaging." Mr. Essuman highlighted the need for training and education on packaging to help SMEs improve their products' marketability and profitability. He also advised SMEs to consider pooling their resources together to reduce costs and increase their competitiveness in the market.
GCB Bank partnered with MTN and SMEGA to support SMEs in Ghana, providing financing solutions through its business solutions.
Mr. Kwesi Ofori Junior, Executive Director of SMEGA, emphasized the importance of the MTN Business Clinic in equipping SMEs to compete globally. He expressed gratitude to MTN Ghana and GCB for their support and highlighted the program's potential to drive economic growth, reduce unemployment, and increase tax revenue. With SMEGA's role in organizing the SME clinic and working with SMEs across the country, the partnership was poised to make a significant impact on the local economy.
The participating SMEs benefited from training, capacity development, and financial support, ultimately contributing to a stronger economy.