Mr Stephen Abban, Relational Head of Retail Banking, Access Bank Ghana
Divisional Head of Retail Banking at Access Bank Ghana, Stephen Abban, has charged business owners to adopt digitalization and explore new opportunities available in the sub-region to grow their businesses to meet international standards.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Access Bank/Graphic Communications Group Ltd. SME Clinics in Kumasi yesterday, he said over 90 per cent of registered jobs in the country are SMEs, which provide over 80 per cent of jobs to people living in Ghana.
However, the lack of the right advisory service has crippled the growth of businesses in the country.
He said Access Bank wants to champion the growth of SMEs through the provision of digital solutions to keep businesses relevant, thriving and competitive both now and in the future.
“Access Bank has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable business practices, driving profitable and sustainable growth that is environmentally responsible and socially relevant since 2009,” he added.
The SMEs clinics are aimed at equipping businesses with digital business solutions to keep them thriving in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic while contributing to Ghana’s economy.
Chief Executive Officer of AGI, Seth Twum Akwaboah, called on businesses to strategically position themselves to benefit from every opportunity.
He opined that “Challenges are bound to come but people who strategically position themselves always emerge victors”.
Speaking on the theme, “Championing the growth of SMEs through digitalization- Madwuma Mpontuo”, during a panel discussion, Mr Twum Akwaboah encouraged business owners to seek support from the appropriate quarters whenever they faced challenges in their businesses.
The Commercial Manager of IPay, Kojo Lartey, also a panel member of the SME Clinic, noted that access to capital was always pivotal for businesses to succeed and commended Access Bank for its innovative digital solutions to businesses.
Adding his voice, the Chief Executive Officer, Quarm Publications who doubled as the guest speaker for the occasion, Joseph Albert Quarm, called on business owners to take kea an interest in documentation, regular assessment of business progress and business diversification, to sustain cal businesses and keep them thriving.
He also stressed the importance of employing digitalization for business communication since virtual communication had become the standard for running businesses efficiently and at a cheaper cost.
He pleaded with business owners to take succession plans seriously, to ensure business continuity when owners were no longer in active service.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey