The National Entrepreneurship and Innovations Programme (NEIP) has provided training and financial support to traders across the country, under the government’s SME GO programme.
The SME GO programme is a joint initiative between the Ministries of Finance and Trade and Industry.
It aims to leverage the existing institutional framework of partnered agencies to build the capacity of MSMEs in the country and to provide the required financing to support their operations.
The programme consists broadly of two major components: SME Financing Component, Micro Business Support Component and SME Financing Component.
The initiative seeks to support the development and scaling up of small businesses in the country, hence Government has developed a sustainable financing framework that seeks to draw resources from both the private and public sectors, to support the growth and development of businesses in the country, referred to as the SMEs.
Thousands of businesses have been taken through capacity-building training by NEIP over a month and are receiving funding to support their business.
Beneficiaries include petty traders, street hawkers and others who qualify under the micro business support scheme.
The beneficiaries applauded the government for the initiative. According to them, they felt neglected because such support is rare.
“I thank the president and the government for thinking about us because no government has ever done something like this for us. Even for remembering us, we are very happy and feel proud as Ghanaians” Esther Nyarko, a beneficiary in the Bono region said.
The president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, months ago launched the SME Growth and Opportunity (GO) programme, mobilising a total of GH₵8.2billion to provide financial and technical support to the sector, in a major boost to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The initiative is aimed at strengthening the country’s private sector and propelling the nation towards its annual growth potential of approximately 5 percent.
