(From left) Kwamina Amoasi-Andoh, Christine Evans-Klock, UN Resident coordinator, Dennis Zulu, H. E Markus Niklaus Paul Dutly, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah and Dr. Yaw Adu-Gyamfi, AGI
The Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE), the flagship programme of the International Labour Organization (ILO), has entered its third phase after its official launch in Accra.
The third phase of the programme, which is expected to run till 2021 in Ghana, aims to help consolidate the gains in SCORE Training in Ghana, and to expand into the hotel and tourism sector.
It will also bolster efforts to engage private sector partners in a bid to integrate SCORE training into supplier development strategies among enterprises in the country.
Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, who launched the programme, said that the SCORE goals ties in with the mandate of his ministry, which is to reenergize the productive sector to create more jobs.
He said the growth of SMEs is crucial to job creation and economic transformation, as it represents about 85 to 90 percent of businesses in the country.
He observed that programmes aimed at increasing productivity at the work place, like SCORE, which began some six years ago, has greatly helped SMEs in the country to achieve their objectives.
He affirmed his commitment to the programme, saying, “As a ministry with the mandate to ensure decent work outcomes, we are very committed to operationalizing our employment policies fully to address this situation for which decent work and economic growth is crucial.”
Markus Niklaus Paul Dutly, Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, in his remarks, said Ghana has been one of its biggest partners on the continent, adding that his country has supported the country’s economic development.
The facilitation of competitiveness and diversification, which features in SCORE, is the second portfolio of Switzerland in its economic relations with Ghana, the envoy added.
He said that despite the success of first two phases of the programme in the country, there are still challenges that stakeholders need to dialogue on especially as the country prepares to move from aid to trade.
“I call on private sector organizations to engage and shape SCORE Ghana in a way that serves your needs and purposes so SCORE can become long term,” he said.
ILO Area Office Director for English Speaking country, Dennis Zulu, in his remarks, said with the successful implementation of Phases I and II since 2011, 48 potential trainers have been trained in the SCORE training methodology, with 24 certified and BDS services offered to over 180 enterprises, representing more than 12,800 employees in Ghana.
“Many of these SMEs have recorded major improvements in their operations, including up to 50% increased productivity, 35% reduction in waste, better workplace cooperation, 27% reduction in defects, 50% reduction in accidents, increased profits and the mainstreaming of gender,” he said.
He was optimistic the third phase will be successful.
Kwamina Amoasi-Andoh, National Programme Manager of ILO, SCORE Programme, educated participants on the activities under the ILO SCORE in the country.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri