Louisa Ago-Anarfi, Manager SME Sales (South)
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Volta Region have received a major boost following a two-day SME Business Clinic organised by MTN Ghana in Ho, bringing together over 200 entrepreneurs, startups, and business owners for practical training and business support.
The business clinic, held under MTN’s SME Accelerate initiative, reflects growing demand for hands-on capacity-building programmes as businesses navigate an increasingly challenging economic environment.
Addressing participants, the Manager for SME Sales South at MTN Ghana, Louisa Ago-Anarfi, said the initiative is designed to equip SMEs with the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
She emphasised that although SMEs are the backbone of Ghana’s economy, driving employment and economic activity, many continue to struggle with structural and operational challenges.
Key among these, she noted, are poor financial record-keeping, weak management systems, low levels of digital adoption, and inadequate insurance coverage, factors that limit business growth and restrict access to funding and institutional support.
To address these gaps, the clinic delivered targeted training in bookkeeping, financial literacy, digitalisation, branding, product packaging, and strategies for accessing finance.
Participants were also taken through risk management practices, with particular emphasis on the role of insurance in protecting businesses against unforeseen losses.
Ms. Ago-Anarfi added that while the programme primarily targets existing businesses, it also offers aspiring entrepreneurs a platform to acquire essential knowledge before launching their ventures.
The initiative was organised in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Ghana Association and forms part of MTN Ghana’s broader plan to expand the SME Accelerate programme to six regions this year, up from four previously.
Supporting the initiative, the Managing Director of Ephesus Business School, Daniel Sackey, stressed the importance of sound financial management and risk control.
He warned that many SMEs suffer avoidable losses due to poor record-keeping and lack of insurance, urging business owners to adopt disciplined and structured practices.
Similarly, Kwesi Ofori Jnr, Executive Director of SME Grow Africa, revealed that the programme goes beyond training by identifying high-potential businesses for further support.
He disclosed plans to link selected SMEs to international partnerships, funding opportunities, and advanced capacity-building programmes to ensure long-term sustainability.
Chief Executive Officer of Sasa Clothing, Wilson Amos, described the clinic as transformative, particularly in improving his financial management and business organisation.
He admitted that prior to the training, his business struggled with record-keeping, which is a common challenge among SMEs, but said the programme has equipped him with practical skills to better track income and expenditure.
He also cited improvements in customer management and order tracking, noting that the training introduced structured systems to streamline operations.
Participants from sectors including fashion, agribusiness, and retail reported gaining practical knowledge directly applicable to their businesses.
Beyond training, the clinic also created opportunities for networking, mentorship, and exposure to funding and partnership avenues.
The SME Business Clinic forms part of MTN Ghana’s ongoing efforts to build resilient and competitive businesses by bridging knowledge gaps and promoting practical learning.
By Daniel K Orlando, Ho