Financial institutions operating in the country have been called upon to assist Small and Medium Scale enterprises to build solid businesses based on sound ethics and good business practices.
Mr. Charles Sirois, Founder of Enablis Entrepreneurial Network who made the call during interactions with the management team of UT Bank, said: “The development of any nation is based on how well grounded its SME base is, and this can only be achieved through a stable political environment which Ghana already has.”
Mr. Sirois said Ghana has what it takes to develop the SME sector to fuel domestic growth, adding that “I have a lot of hope for the markets in Africa because I know the world needs Africa and Africa will definitely take its place in the world’s economy, but that will depend on how well we build the SME sector.”
He said there are two Africa’s “the Africa on its knees and the Africa on its feet , and Ghana is definitely on its feet; all that is required now is a solid entrepreneurial base to deliver quality life to its people.”
Mr. Sirois commended UT Bank for taking up the bold initiative and “catching the dream of developing SMEs to take their rightful place in the social and economic development of the nation.” He was full of praise for Mr. Prince Amoabeng, CEO of UT Bank, for his personal commitment to the UT dream and his entrepreneurial prowess.
For his part, Mr. Amoabeng thanked Mr. Sirois for his visit and said: “It was not difficult for us to partner ENABLIS because we believe we have a common goal, so this is a natural alliance.” He pledged the continuous commitment of the UT Group to the development of the SME sector. “ Having been one ourselves, we appreciate the peculiar challenges they face and we have what it takes to offer solutions.”
The two organisations later signed a memorandum of understanding to seal the partnership. Last year, UT Bank partnered Enablis Ghana with a grant of GH¢100,000 for its business launchpad competition - from which ten up-and-coming entrepreneurs are being assisted to build their businesses.
Enablis is a membership-based organisation that believes the entrepreneur is key to successful SME business. The organisation supports members to be successful business owners by sharpening their personal skills, problem-solving capacity, creativity, integrity, and business acumen.
The global non-profit organisation began operations in Ghana in October 2009, and currently has over 130 members. The members benefit from regular training based on a unique plan for each member designed to take them to the next level. It has also designed unique funding vehicles exclusively for its members which focus on filing the financing gap that confronts entrepreneurs.
Source: B&FT
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