MTN Ghana Foundation’s Enterprise Support Programme, geared towards supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country, is making significant strides.
The initiative, launched in partnership with the Innohub Foundation, is part of MTN’s legacy projects aimed at accelerating socio-economic growth through economic empowerment initiatives.
The programme was initially focused on Greater Accra, Ashanti Region, and Western Region. This year, it shifted its attention to the Central Region, Eastern Region, and Volta Region. The Economic Empowerment Adviser for the MTN Ghana Foundation, Mrs Cynthia Mills, highlighted this during interviews for this year’s MTN support programs in Accra.
Mrs Mills explained that the project aims to support 500 MSMEs over the next five years across Ghana, focusing on enterprises led by youth, women, and differently-abled individuals. Beneficiaries will receive training, business development support, technical assistance, and seed funding.
The programme aims to select 100 beneficiaries this year and will provide financial support for new machinery and various training modules, including financial and digital literacy.
The ultimate goal is to boost business capabilities and enhance market reach. Mrs Mills emphasized the flexibility of the support terms, noting that “the mode of repayment will be very flexible, ranging from six months to two years, depending on the business model.”
The foundation’s support is driven by the recognition of innovative projects developed by local entrepreneurs, particularly those enhancing food variety and other products. By providing this support, the MTN Ghana Foundation aims to help these enterprises grow, thereby creating more jobs and stimulating economic growth.
The MTN Enterprise Support Programme targets businesses within the agribusiness value chain, fashion, food processing, cosmetic production, fish processing, renewable energy, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The independent juries selected to conduct the interviews and perform background checks before disbursement commended the MTN Ghana Foundation for the laudable initiative, stressing that it will create pathways for job creation, economic empowerment, and a more resilient economy.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/newsghana.com.gh
