By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Ms. Margaret Ansei, has commended telecom giant MTN Ghana for launching an initiative dubbed the MTN SME Accelerate Programme, aimed at addressing the digital challenges faced by players in Ghana’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem.
Ms. Ansei described the MTN SME Accelerate Programme as a strategic game-changer for Ghana’s MSME ecosystem, adding that the timely intervention initiated by the telecom giant aligns with the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme at the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, the CEO of GEA said the initiative resonates strongly with GEA’s mission to build a resilient, digitally empowered, and globally competitive MSME sector.
She noted that the tagline for the project, “Business Done Smarter, Faster, and Better,” could not be more appropriate than now.
“In today’s fast-evolving world, the future belongs to those who can embrace change, leverage technology, and drive smart solutions to sustain their businesses,” Ms. Ansei opined.
She also outlined some key initiatives the GEA has rolled out to boost digital transformation in the MSME sector. These initiatives include the SME Innovation and Inclusion Programme – Digitalize for Jobs (D4J), a collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the U-Spark Project under the UNIDO KAIZEN Expansion Initiative supported by the Government of Japan.
“These interventions are not just about access to finance. They are about building an ecosystem of innovation where MSMEs—from rural seamstresses to youth-led agro-processors—can thrive in the digital age,” Ms. Ansei emphasized.
Linking the programme to the broader national development agenda, Ms. Ansei said the MTN SME Accelerate Programme fits squarely into President John Dramani Mahama’s visionary policy of a 24-hour economy.
“President Mahama’s 24-hour economy is not just about extending business hours; it’s about reimagining productivity, creating jobs, and building businesses that run around the clock. To do this, MSMEs need digital tools, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships like this one with MTN,” she noted.
The GEA CEO praised MTN Ghana for going beyond telecommunications to become a “technology enabler” and urged Ghanaian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the platform to accelerate growth and reach global markets.
Ms. Ansei concluded her speech with a strong call to action: “When MSMEs rise, Ghana rises. And with a 24-hour economy in sight, the sky is not the limit — it is only the beginning.”
Following the launch, MTN Ghana also took to social media, reaffirming its commitment to small businesses:
“Today marks the beginning of brighter things to come for small businesses. SME Accelerate is designed to position SMEs to work smarter, faster, and better, with many opportunities to advance in business. Get ready to accelerate!”
The MTN SME Accelerate Programme is expected to empower thousands of MSMEs across the country with digital tools, business support, and training to improve productivity and market access.
