Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana face significant challenges, including limited managerial skills, weak financial systems, and intense competition. To address these issues, stakeholders under Sinapi Aba Trust emphasize the need for structured business mentorship. This approach can equip entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to manage risks, respond to market challenges, and position their businesses for sustainable growth. The call for mentorship was made at the graduation ceremony of the sixth cohort of the Sinapi Aba Trust/BMZ Mentorship Programme.
The Sinapi Aba Trust/BMZ Mentorship Programme has trained 300 young women entrepreneurs in the informal sector, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 2,000. The six-month programme combines classroom-based learning with practical and informal training sessions, covering essential business skills such as fraud management, recruitment and employee management, customer service, and financial management. Deputy Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr. Mrs. Patricia Acheampong, highlights the importance of mentorship in providing entrepreneurs with trusted relationships that can help them identify and address business challenges.
Dr. Acheampong notes that mentorship goes beyond classroom training, providing entrepreneurs with practical skills, guidance, and professional networks. Effective mentorship can also prepare entrepreneurs for access to finance, as investors and financial institutions are more likely to support business owners who demonstrate the necessary skills and systems to manage their enterprises. The programme has evolved to create a sustainable support network among entrepreneurs, with beneficiaries from previous cohorts becoming mentors and hubs of support for new mentees.
Program Manager at Sinapi Aba Trust, Phyllis Desbordes, explains that the involvement of previous beneficiaries as mentors was a key development in the latest cohort. This approach brought greater results, as mentees received guidance from experienced entrepreneurs who understood their challenges. Some beneficiaries reported that the programme had improved their ability to communicate with customers, maintain proper financial records, and use digital platforms to market their businesses.
Beneficiaries of the programme shared their experiences, citing improved communication with customers, bookkeeping, and financial management as key benefits. One mentee advised women to take advantage of the programme, highlighting its impact on her business. The programme's focus on mentorship and support networks has contributed to its success, with over 2,000 beneficiaries to date.
The Sinapi Aba Trust Mentorship Programme aims to bridge critical gaps that prevent entrepreneurs in the MSME sector, particularly women, from reaching their full business potential. By providing practical skills, guidance, and professional networks, the programme equips entrepreneurs with the tools needed to manage risks and position their businesses for sustainable growth. The programme's impact is evident in the success stories of its beneficiaries.
The sixth cohort of the Sinapi Aba Trust/BMZ Mentorship Programme comprised 300 entrepreneurs who received training in essential business skills. The programme's continued success highlights the importance of mentorship for MSMEs in Ghana. Key stakeholders, including Dr. Acheampong and Phyllis Desbordes, emphasize the need for structured business mentorship to support the growth and survival of MSMEs.
Key points
- Mentorship provides entrepreneurs with practical skills, guidance, and professional networks needed to manage business risks and position their businesses for sustainable growth.
- The Sinapi Aba Trust Mentorship Programme has impacted over 2,000 beneficiaries, particularly women, in the MSME sector.
- Effective mentorship can prepare entrepreneurs for access to finance, as investors and financial institutions are more likely to support business owners who demonstrate the necessary skills and systems to manage their enterprises.
