Accra: The Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) Greater Accra Regional branch, in collaboration with the German Development Corporation (GIZ), has encouraged Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt digital transformation tools to drive growth and achieve long-term business success. This call was made during a seminar held under the theme 'Digital Literacy and Innovation Curriculum, Digitalize for Jobs (D4J) Project.'
According to Ghana Web, the event aimed to equip SMEs with practical digital skills and tools to improve their operations and competitiveness. The Regional Director of the GEA, Anthea Ohene Mayne, explained that the meeting was organised to educate beneficiaries and address challenges they face when using digital platforms, including issues with digital consultants who developed the websites in the first phase of the project. 'After a thorough assessment of participating businesses, it became clear that many SMEs had significant weaknesses in their use of digital tools.'
Several training sessions and conferences were organised to enlighten business owners on modern digital trends and solutions. Ohene Mayne noted that part of the strategy to address these challenges included the provision of a digital literacy pack and an equipment pack, which served as a training ground. Beneficiaries received MiFi devices, handbooks, and, in some cases, a 'digital visibility pack,' which included the creation of Facebook and WhatsApp Business accounts, and access to digital tools such as accounting software, record-keeping systems, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, and e-commerce solutions.
Ohene Mayne revealed that websites developed for the SMEs were offered free for the first year, after which beneficiaries would be responsible for renewing their domain names. Looking ahead, she disclosed that Phase Two of the Development for Jobs (D4J) project would focus on innovation and inclusion, particularly targeting rural areas and persons with disabilities (PWDs). 'The next phase will support 50 SMEs owned by persons with disabilities across five regions: Bono Region, Northern Region, Ashanti, and Central, with 10 beneficiaries selected from each region,' she stated.
The Technical Advisor for GIZ, Niwas Harrendorf, reaffirmed that 'digitalisation needs to be inclusive,' explaining that there has been a significant digital and gender gap in society. The initiative seeks to help bridge that divide, especially for women-led SMEs. He also indicated that this cohort includes beneficiaries connected to 'women-owned businesses,' marking an important step towards gender-focused digital empowerment.