Accra, Ghana//-200 beneficiaries of the SME Business Clinic in Accra have lauded MTN Ghana and its partners for delivering practical and high-value training.
Speaking to journalists at the two-day event closing ceremony, the beneficiaries, who were SME business owners from food processing, fashion, construction, manufacturing, to agribusiness, were appreciative of the telecoms giant.
Lead Projects Manager at Foramaria Sanitation and Construction Services, Ramsey Apodei, described the clinic as timely and actionable.
His own words: “This clinic has been successful in bringing us together as business owners to build networks, connect, and understand what is currently happening in the ecosystem”.
He noted that his company plans to apply the insights by adopting more sustainable, eco-friendly business practices and strengthening internal management systems.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pins-Scissors Ltd, Leticia Ohene Asiedu commended the initiative for granting small business owners direct access to key institutional stakeholders.
She highlighted the practical benefit of engaging face-to-face with officials from regulatory and financial bodies, including the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Fidelity Bank, noting that such interactions provide clarity on regulatory compliance and funding opportunities that often pose challenges for growing enterprises.
“You need the right people to speak to, financial support, encouragement, and somebody to give you a listening ear—and that is exactly what SME Ghana and MTN did for us,” Ms Ohene-Asiedu said.
She noted that a major operational takeaway from the clinic was the strategy to shift from purely transactional sales to cultivating long-term, value-driven customer relationships.
Ms Ohene-Asiedu revealed that her company has already begun implementing post-service feedback protocols to strengthen client engagement and improve customer retention.
The company equipped the 200 local entrepreneurs with practical management skills, bespoke digital solutions, and direct access to financial opportunities to help scale and sustain their enterprises.
The Accra clinic marked the sixth regional edition organised by MTN Ghana this year under its nationwide SME Accelerate initiative.
To date, SME Business Clinic has trained over 1,400 business owners across Ghana, including previous stops in Tamale, Kumasi, Takoradi, Koforidua, and Ho, underscoring the telecommunications leader’s commitment to helping small businesses transition from basic survival into long-term growth.
The two-day event, like the previous ones, saw participants engaged in hands-on workshops covering customer engagement, corporate branding, digital marketing, access to credit, and expansion into new markets.
Speaking at the event, Mohamed Abubakar Sadiq, Senior Manager for SME Sales, Business Broadband, and Partnerships at MTN Ghana, described the response from entrepreneurs as encouraging, noting that momentum built steadily throughout the program.
“The venue was filled on the final day as entrepreneurs actively engaged facilitators, asked questions, and sought practical solutions to challenges affecting their operations,” Sadiq said. “The participation was fantastic.
The entrepreneurs demonstrated a strong willingness to learn and adopt new tools to transform their businesses.”
Mr Sadiq identified limited access to finance as one of the persistent challenges confronting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, calling for stronger collaboration between private-sector organisations and financial institutions.
To address this, strategic partners such as Fidelity Bank participated in the clinic to guide participants on available credit facilities and formal loan requirements.
In addition, eligible SMEs can access short-term working capital micro-loans directly through MTN Mobile Money (MoMo).
Business owners who build a strong repayment history on MoMo micro-loans systematically qualify for larger credit lines and direct connections to partner financial institutions for broader long-term financing.
“SMEs can access loans through Mobile Money to invest in their businesses. When they repay, it creates an opportunity for them to access further credit,” Sadiq explained.
“However, access to finance alone will not guarantee growth. Entrepreneurs also need the right operational structures, business skills, and digital tools to manage and expand effectively.”
Beyond funding, MTN Ghana introduced tailored technology solutions designed to expand enterprise market reach and optimise day-to-day operations.
The company introduced Y’ello Biz and WebWiz, a simplified toolkit that enables SMEs to build professional websites, secure domain names, and showcase their products to both domestic and international markets.
To enhance operational security, MTN showcased Business Eye Surveillance, a smart CCTV monitoring system powered by solar or grid energy with cloud storage that allows business owners to remotely monitor live operations at their retail shops or offices via mobile devices.
Additionally, participants were introduced to productivity and collaboration suites, including Microsoft 365 and unified communication systems, designed to help small teams digitise record-keeping and streamline customer communication.
Recognising that women constitute a major pillar of Ghana’s business ecosystem, MTN showcased Adwumapa (and related Ayoba for Women initiatives), a specialised product suite designed to support female business owners.
In addition to subsidised voice and data packages, the Adwumapa solution integrates valuable non-telecom safety nets for business owners.
Its Doctor on Call feature offers a remote telehealth service that lets entrepreneurs consult medical professionals directly without leaving their retail stalls or factories.
It offers tailored micro-insurance plans to protect commercial inventory and property from unforeseen disasters, including market fire outbreaks.
As part of efforts to deliver long-term impact, high-performing businesses identified during the clinics will be enrolled in an intensive, 13-week mini-MBA program conducted in partnership with Nova Business School Africa. The program is designed to deepen management capacity, financial governance, and strategic planning skills.
Participants at the clinic were presented with certificates of participation and encouraged to enter the upcoming MTN SME Ghana Awards (SMEGA) to showcase their achievements, build brand credibility, and access further business development opportunities.
Explaining MTN Ghana’s continued investment in the sector, Sadiq emphasised that SMEs serve as the primary engine of Ghana’s socioeconomic development.
SMEs contribute approximately 70 per cent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and account for nearly 85 per cent of employment nationwide.
“When SMEs are equipped and grow, Ghana also grows because they create jobs, improve household incomes, and contribute significantly to national development,” Mr Sadiq noted.
