SNV Ghana has held the Ashanti Regional GrEEn Trade show to create awareness and empower the general public in employment and enterprise opportunities in Kumasi. The regional Trade show is dubbed: “Sustainable Trade Investment, the Future for the Ghanaian economy”.
The project has been jointly implemented by SNV Ghana and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) since 2019. Laouali Sadda, Project Manager of the GrEEn Project, explained at the 3rd Regional GrEEn Trade show at the Kejetia Market in Kumasi, in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, GIZ Ghana, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), and Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) that the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana, popularly known as the GrEEn Project, was an action funded by the European Union and the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Ghana.
According to him, the GrEEn Project, being implemented under the European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) for Africa, aims at supporting the growth of green, climate resilient and sustainable businesses, as well as providing skills development to youth in the Ashanti and Western Regions.
He indicated that, since 2021, SNV had been carrying out regional trade shows to support green businesses to increase their market access, promote their products and services, and increase their sales to enable them boost production and create jobs.
He disclosed that, they were joined by 58 businesses located in the Ashanti Region, and 40 of the businesses and entrepreneurs which are graduates of their 6-month GrEEn Incubation and/or GrEEn Acceleration Programmes received training and business advisory support from SNV and their partner hubs – with some being awarded grants – to build their businesses.
Mr. Sadda stated that, the remaining 18 are sustainable and ecofriendly local businesses who have been supported by GEPA and GIZ Ghana.
He lauded the collaboration with their partners, Ghana Export Promotion Centre, GEA, AGI, GIZ and the Ministry of Trade and Industry for shared commitment to supporting sustainable businesses.
He reiterated that, SNV strongly believe that one of the ways to address access to basic services for all and mitigate the effects of climate change on livelihoods is to assist local businesses and communities to be climate resilient.
The project manager, revealed that, supporting local businesses like the 58 SMEs of the 3-day GrEEn Regional Trade Show, SNV and their partners are guaranteeing a green future for the Ashanti Region, Ghana and the world, aside the trade shows and the matching grants provided to some of these SMEs, under the GrEEn Project.
He appreciated funding from the Netherlands’ Embassy that provides business-to-business visits, market linkages, and coaching through their partner hubs to green businesses.
He disclosed that, through the implementation of the GrEEn Project and the GrEEn Innovation Challenge – an initiative they rolled out to provide financial support to businesses with innovative ideas.
He said they have also awarded over GHc3 million to sustainable local businesses and recently joined six green entrepreneurs to commission their factories across the Ashanti Region with plans to launch additional ones before the GrEEn Project ends.
He stressed that, the GrEEn Regional Trade Show was intended to showcase and promote green products and boost their growth with a similar event planned for August at the Takoradi Mall in the Western Region.
Genevieve Parker-Twum at GrEEn Project SNV Ghana, explained that, the Boosting GrEEn Enterprise opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) project is a four year action from the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Development organisation and United Nation Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
She said the project was aimed at creating greater economic and employment opportunities for youth, women and returning migrants by promoting and supporting sustainable green businesses in the two regions in Ghana, Ashanti and Western.
