Mrs. Mensah-Poku addressing quests
Chief Enterprise Officer of MTN Ghana, Angela Mensah-Poku, says adaptability, not size, is now the real competitive advantage for businesses in a rapidly changing world.
Speaking at this year’s SMEGA Awards, she said entrepreneurship must translate into results at a time when markets shift overnight and technology reshapes entire industries.
“In a world where markets shift overnight and technology reshapes entire industries, the real competitive advantage is no longer size. It’s adaptability. It’s the willingness to learn, unlearn, and reinvent yourselves,” she said.
Mrs. Mensah-Poku said MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary makes this year’s celebration more significant. “MTN Ghana is celebrating 30 years and our SMEs have driven innovation, created jobs, and strengthened communities across Ghana. Our story and your stories have never been separate,” she stated.
Highlighting MTN’s interventions, she said the SME Accelerate programme took clinics to six regions this year, equipping over 1,000 entrepreneurs with practical skills in digital adoption, financial management and business resilience.
“For the first time, we backed that training with capital. Our business pitch sessions awarded seed funding to nine promising entrepreneurs, turning ideas into ventures with real money behind them,” she revealed.
“This is why MTN partners with SMEGA, not to sponsor a ceremony, but to invest in what happens between the ceremonies — the training, the capital, the connectivity. This is where businesses have real impact. SMEGA gives Ghana’s best SMEs the stage, and we believe at MTN we work to make sure more of you are ready to stand on it,” she added.
Mrs. Mensah-Poku added that MTN’s goal is a generation of Ghanaian businesses that can compete confidently, not only here but across Africa and the world
Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed Senior Manager for SME Sales, Business Partnerships, and Business Development said the programme included initiatives such as SME clinics, capacity building sessions and a mini MBA for entrepreneurs.
On the benefits of the awards, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq said the recognition alone provides significant exposure for the businesses. He said the awards are aimed at recognizing SMEs across various categories, including agribusiness and manufacturing, for their contribution to the national economy.
Some of the awardees include Koliko Wear Eco Enterprise, Queen GAF Enterprise, Extra Comfort Limited, Dressup College of Fashion Ghana, Ahodwo Frams Limited, Bubune Africa Limited, Yumzaa Women Association among others.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke