Author: AGI

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) played a lead role in the quest to get food and beverage companies to produce fortified products based on the Obaasima Code of Practice. The project prioritized engaging local SMEs to develop and register Obaasima food products. To achieve this, the project supported the AGI in its role of owning and governing the Obaasima seal.

To engage prospective Obaasima partners, the project offered fully sponsored trainings on food safety, and centred on the possibility of fortifying at least one product from these manufacturers. The Obaasima seal was launched on March 13th, 2021, at the Alisa Hotel in Accra. The event was well-attended and included dignitaries from the Ministry of Health, AGI, GIZ, manufacturing companies, key partners, and the media. As of the present date, four manufacturing companies have successfully produced a total of five food products for commercial purposes. These products include Tom Vita and Tom Vita X, both manufactured by Yedent Agro Industries, Gari mix manufactured by OxyIndustries, Dunu Tom Brown manufactured by Praise Exports, and Lola biscuits manufactured by Mass Industries. Additionally, Premium Foods is set to launch another product, Lovit, in the near future.

One of the key activities of the project was to build processors’ capacity by providing technical support, food safety, and business development training to local food processors. This support was aimed at equipping indigenous small and medium-sized food processors to develop new fortified food products, register their food products with authorities, and develop their businesses. In addition, the project conducted nutrient profiling to ensure that the fortified products met the required standards.

In conclusion, the Obaasima project is a notable initiative that seeks to promote the consumption of fortified food products in Ghana. By engaging local SMEs and providing technical support, the project aims to improve food safety and build processors’ capacity, which will ultimately result in the development of new fortified food products and the growth of businesses. The successful launch of the Obaasima seal is a significant milestone in this journey, and it is hoped that more food and beverage companies will produce fortified products to benefit consumers and contribute to the economic growth of the country.

Plan International Ghana and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) collaborated to implement the Women Innovation for Sustainable Enterprises (WISE) Project, aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, and Northern regions of Ghana. The WISE Project provided a comprehensive suite of gender-responsive business services in five districts of the targeted regions, supporting women aged 19 to 55 years in rural and suburban areas who are underemployed or in the informal sector.

AGI, in implementing the WISE Project, used an innovative and integrated approach that brought together partners and stakeholders for mutual benefits. The project had three intervention areas: business linkages, coaching, and mentorship. Mentors engaged mentees through phone calls, voice messages, and WhatsApp calls, using open-ended and closed-ended questions to solicit contributions. Business Model Canvas in a puzzle form and on a canvas were used as teaching aids, and AGI shared templates for business plans and income and expenditure among mentors to be used for each mentee. The business linkages that had started between mentees and mentors’ businesses boosted mentees confidence in expanding their businesses. The learning event, which was a platform for a pitch competition among beneficiaries, would subsequently provide financial support to the winners.

The project started in April 2022 and ended in February 2023 with most of the events being held in Sunyani and Tamale.

The project aimed to leverage the potential and assistance of Ghanaian women entrepreneurs to make a strong contribution to poverty reduction and the Innovation for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Ghana (IWEEG) Initiative of Global Affairs Canada.

By empowering women entrepreneurs in Ghana, the project contributed to poverty reduction in line with the IWEEG Initiative of Global Affairs Canada. The success of the project highlights the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs in developing countries to achieve sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty.

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) implemented the SME Grant Scheme for Job Creation, with support from the Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation, an initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. In total, 175 businesses applied for the grant, with 65 being selected after the evaluation process. The 65 successful grantees were then taken through a three-day training/coaching session on supply chain management and managing business finances.

The evaluation of the applications was conducted through several stages, utilizing innovative technological adaptations and expert human judgments. Overseeing and providing support for the project were Mr.  Johnson Opoku-Boateng (Director of Business Development Services, AGI) and Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah (CEO of AGI). With all evaluations done, those who met the requirements were selected and processed for payment. The model used in executing this project – grant application, training, monitoring, and further monitoring – was a comprehensive approach to helping SMEs create sustainable businesses that manufacture to standard requirements.

The trainings were held in four different locations – Accra, Tamale, Kumasi, and Sunyani – between 1st February and 18th March 2022.

The project aimed to assist growth-oriented SMEs in the manufacturing sector with basic equipment and training business managers on managing business finances and the supply chain to increase production and generate more employment opportunities for young people.

At the conclusion of the grant scheme, all sixty-five grantees had their equipment procured, with two still awaiting delivery. The programme was successful, with a high success rate reflected in the intensity of the testimonials and the outcome of the training evaluation.

UNIDO’s West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) in partnership with The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), embarked on a project to increase cassava production in Ghana and encourage ecologically friendly farming practices. The project involved training smallholders on ‘Integrated Pest Management and Ecologically Friendly Cassava Production’ to improve cassava production while considering environmental sustainability.

To achieve this objective, the AGI and WACOMP organised practical training programmes for 90 cassava farmers operating in the Ho, Begoro and Gomoa municipalities and its environs. The training programme was designed to focus on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and ecologically friendly cassava production, with a particular emphasis on the value chains of Reagvin Ventures Limited, Caltech Ventures, Asikess Ventures and Oxy Industries Limited located in Ho, Ho, Begoro and Gomoa Mpota, respectively. The demonstration sites were allocated through the support of all four processors as their contribution to having an impactful training. The training was conducted in four parts, which were identification of problems being faced by the farmers and solutions to overcome them, planting, pest and disease control, and harvesting. The methodology used for the training included presentations, group discussions, and field demonstrations that suited the specific activity taking place.

The project spanned from August 2020 to October 19th, 2021  at the various demonstration sites.

The training programme was aimed at equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills to increase their cassava production while also considering environmental sustainability. The farmers learned new methods and adopted them to integrate into their farming practices.

The AGI and WACOMP’s partnership provided an opportunity for smallholder farmers to learn and apply ecologically friendly farming practices to increase their productivity. The project demonstrated the importance of training and equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills required to improve their production and create sustainable value chains.

The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) recently organized a business seminar and job fair for young aspiring entrepreneurs in Accra. The program, which was part of the Business Seminar and Job Fair Apprenticeship2Entrepreneurship (A2E component) of the GEA/MasterCard Foundation’s Young Africa Works program, aimed to equip young people with skills through apprenticeship and transition them into entrepreneurship.

The AGI, with support from the GEA, selected 100 MSMEs from a pool of small businesses in Greater Accra and its environs to participate in the program. These small businesses included start-ups with little business experience, and the program aimed to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey.

To achieve the program’s overall objectives, presentations, breakout sessions, questions and answers were used as methods to accomplish success. These sessions aimed to provide young entrepreneurs with the necessary knowledge and skills to build successful businesses, navigate the business landscape, and access financial support. At the close of the event, a number of recommendations were made, including the suggestion that young entrepreneurs be thoroughly prepared for future seminars and job fairs. Additionally, it was suggested that improved coordination between government institutions such as the GEA and private business associations (AGI) would facilitate the achievement of greater and more impactful results

The business seminar and job fair were held during the three-day Ghana Industrial Summit and Expo 2021 (GISE) organized by the AGI from 17^th to 19^th August 2021 at the International Conference Centre in Accra. GISE 21 aimed to bring together captains of industry, policymakers, international industrialists, and entrepreneurs to discuss pertinent issues confronting the industry and propose cutting-edge solutions to propel it forward. The summit also encouraged networking between indigenous industrialists and their international counterparts for knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices in the industry.

In conclusion, the A2E program was a great initiative that sought to equip young people with skills through apprenticeship and transition them into entrepreneurship. The partnership between the GEA and AGI is commendable, and the program will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the growth and development of small businesses in Ghana.

PARTICIPANTS OF THIS PROGRAM ARE AS FOLLOWS

1. Mabel Anyigbah
2. Sandra Owusu-Mireku
3. Anita Obeng Boakye Yiadom
4. Deborah Ansah
5. Joyce Clottey
6. Selina Osei-Poku
7. Rosina Dzugah
8. Clement Nuda Okyere
9. Ruby Ashong
10. Favour Attandze
11. Sandra Osei Bonsu
12. Abigail Wettey
13. Sharon Oduro Temeng
14. Eunice Patukaduut
15. Sylvia Donkor
16. Gifty Dwomoh
17. Rebbecca Kesewa Ampomah
18. Helena Ama Amonoo
19. Sandra Atsu
20. Rebecca Yartey
21. Webdy Twumasiwaa
22. Abigail Torgbor
23. Philomina Addison
24. Faustina Abraham
25. Abigail Aryee
26. Stacey Kwafo
27. Olasehinde