Some beneficiaries with their products displayed on the night
The British High Commission in Ghana and the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) have celebrated top Ghanaian beneficiaries of the Enhancing Growth in New Enterprises (ENGINE) Programme.
A special ceremony to honour the 60 beneficiaries themed: “Driving Growth in Emerging Enterprises – The Engine Story” was organized on Tuesday at the Cleaver House in Accra.
The event was also used to assess the challenges and successes of the ENGINE programme since its inception some four years ago.
The celebration brought to end the ENGINE initiative, which has been replaced by the Engine Business Network.
The ENGINE programme was jointly supported by DFID and the British High Commission with technical assistance from technology firm, Technoserve.
Acting Deputy Head of Office, DFID Ghana, Andre Kolin said $20 million was generated and about 1,500 new jobs created in Ghana’s economy.
He stated that DFID deemed it necessary to partner domestic firms to enable them access the international market, adding that so far ENGINE has helped over 500 entrepreneurs.
According to him, ENGINE programme is part of the wider UK Government’s efforts to promote economic development in Ghana.
Ghana Country Director of Technoserve, Kwame Boateng, stated that the distinguished businessmen and women successfully went through the ENGINE Programme.
Some of the 60 beneficiaries include Kalmax Robotics, E-Gaps, Dream Consult & Supply, Zoe Laundry, Manzuki Ghana Limited, McEdward Farms, African Heritage Clothing, Decocraft.
Executive Director of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), Kosi Yankey, observed that the Government of Ghana has realized that more efforts must be made to ensure that Ghanaian entrepreneurs are successful in their various fields of endeavors.
She stated that NBSSI shall continue to provide players in the small scale sector with the needed support to grow their businesses.
By Melvin Tarlue