Abena Osei-Asare
A Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Abena Osei-Asare has called on stakeholders in various sectors of the economy to help nurture entrepreneurs to lead the charge in the country’s quest to become self-reliant.
Speaking at the 3rd edition of the Financial Economics Seminar 2024 in Accra, she said Ghanaians have for several decades been engaged in various kinds of businesses hence were not entirely ignorant of how to start one.
The Minister of State said Ghanaians doing businesses needed rather to be supported with the right policies to enable such businesses to grow.
“We must be intentional in supporting our SMEs particularly in accessing financial resources to thrive. With the right policies and support, entrepreneurs will continue to drive economic growth and stability in our developing economy,” she said.
Ms Osei-Asare indicated that since 2017, the government has made efforts to reignite and support the entrepreneurial spirit of Ghanaians particularly the youth by focusing on polices and interventions designed to empower the youth to take full advantage of the nations abundant resources.
That, she explained include interventions aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, improved skilled training and education as well as effectively tackling long standing structural challenges facing small medium enterprises.
Deputy Minister of Finance, Stephen Amoah, for his part said it was imperative for Ghanaians to begin a new wave of entrepreneurial advocacy that will change the focus of a youthful population struggling for the rationed employment space.
Mr. Amoah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaso urged the youth to get involved in the entrepreneurship revolution agenda which should be tailored by relevant stakeholders and policy makers to create the needed opportunity and support for those who would want to create new businesses to grow Ghana’s economy.
He also advised the banks to extend their credit arm to entrepreneurs to enable them grow from small through medium to large businesses.
He further advised the youth not to engage in unprofitable ventures but to utilise their time to engage in activities that will secure their future.
He said entrepreneurship reduces import, enhances purchasing power and revenue for the country, generate taxes to government, and reduces national deficits.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah