Ms. Suzuki Momoko presenting an award to a beneficiary
THE CHIEF Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry Patrick Yaw Nimo has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a viable eco-friendly environment to enhance entrepreneurship across the country.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the Kaizen Award ceremony, Mr. Yaw Nimo highlighted that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in economic growth and job creation, serving as the backbone of local communities.
He added that the Ministry, through the Ghana Enterprises Agency, has launched several programmes designed to nurture and empower SMEs. These initiatives focus on providing access to finance, markets, capacity building, and technology adoption.
“Our goal is to create a short to long term policy framework that fosters a dynamic and vibrant real sector, significantly contributing to value addition, export diversification, and decent job creation,” Mr.Yaw Nimo explained “Ultimately, we want to establish an ecosystem where every entrepreneur can thrive.”
He also encouraged businesses to pursue sustainable growth by conducting critical performance self-assessments.
“It’s essential to reflect on past achievements and challenges while developing innovative solutions to meet future targets,” he advised.
“Setting new standards of quality and efficiency will not only benefit individual businesses but will also inspire competitors and enhance Ghana’s reputation in the global marketplace” he added.
Speaking on the significance of the award, CEO of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Kosi Yankey-Ayeh said the National Kaizen Awards not only honour the remarkable achievements of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the nation but also a celebration of Kaizen—a philosophy that has transformed workplaces and lives globally.
She said that GEA’s commitment to fostering innovation and incremental progress in all facets of life in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has introduced Kaizen principles to over 100 MSMEs across seven regions in Ghana.
These initiatives she added are paving the way for a new wave of entrepreneurship focused on operational excellence and sustainable growth.
“Today’s awards are not just about excellence; they celebrate the relentless pursuit of progress, innovation, and the courage to embrace change,” she added.
Chief Representative of JICAGhana, Suzuki Momoko recounted JICA’s nearly two-decade commitment to supporting MSME development in Ghana, beginning with the 2006 introduction of the Kaizen approach to palm oil manufacturers in the Ashanti Region.
“Through the implementation of Kaizen, the manufacturers improved both productivity and product quality, enabling them to export their palm oil to Germany. Currently, more than 384 MSMEs across seven regions (Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Northern, Central, and Greater Accra) have adopted the Kaizen approach, thanks to the efforts of GEA and JICA,” she said.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke