Mr. Osei (left) interacting with some participants after the roadshow
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported Feed the Future Ghana Market Systems and Resilience (MSR) Activity, has announced a $500,000 Innovative Finance Grant Window to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in northern Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The grant programme is targeted at financial institutions and other non-bank financial institutions to leverage private lender capital that support improved access to finance, inputs supply and business development services that drive agriculture-led economic growth.
Speaking at the grants window roadshow in Accra, Deputy Chief of Party, Cecil Osei said MSR’s Innovative Finance Grant Window will support development and economic growth in the following targeted crop value chains – maize, shea, bambara beans, soybeans, cowpea, groundnut, moringa, mango, and vegetables.
He further noted that it will also cover support to their value addition in 17 designated districts across the Northern, North East, Upper West and Upper East regions.
“The grants are designed to reduce the cost of agricultural lending, improve the liquidity of financial service providers, and encourage more agriculture service providers to offer targeted financial services to SMEs in USAID’s 17-district Zone of Influence within Ghana’s four northern regions,” he said.
Agribusiness and Financial Services Team Lead, Raymond Dentah, who took participants through the grant application template including eligibility check said the roadshow is to announce the grant process to prospective applicants.
He indicated that similar activity will be held in Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa between April 14 -20, 2023.
“The Roadshows will help prospective applicants understand the purpose, eligibility requirements, and grant application processes,” he added.
Ghana MSR
The Ghana MSR Activity is a five-year activity implemented by a consortium of partners led by ACDI/VOCA, focusing on strengthening commercial relationships between market actors namely; out grower Businesses, smallholder farmers, producers, processors, buyers, input suppliers and lenders to expand agribusiness in Ghana’s northern regions.
MSR supports inclusive economic growth and works to fully engage women, youth and people with disabilities in all its programming and grant funding opportunities.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri