Ten startups in Kumasi have completed a 6-month business development incubation training programme. 

Beneficiary entrepreneurs were supported to develop their green business plans and improve access to funding. 

The programme afforded the startups networking opportunities and business expert knowledge. 

In the ultra-competitive business world, lack of knowledge and skills have been identified as challenges to many business startups. It prevents them from operating efficiently.

Beneficiaries of the Recycle Up Ghana and SNV GrEEN incubation programme will tackle the lack of business training, and shape their businesses into viable ones. 

The graduation ceremony was themed, “Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana”. 

The ceremony featured the graduation of cohorts 3 and 4 of the GrEEN incubation programme who are in fields ranging from fashion, catering, and food processing. 

The beneficiaries are; Halle-P Ghana Limited, Moreplex Company limited, Ike Dian Fashion, Recycle Me, Shaibu22 enterprise and Keefi Ecofarms.

The rest are; Okubi’s Farms, GladofKims Ventures, Adepa AkoGift Enterprise and Achiepee Prime Farms and Trading.

Project Lead, Recycle Up Ghana, Acquah Obinkyere indicated that the training emphasizes efforts to ensure environmental consciousness, whilst making profit.

“Throughout the 6 months incubation programme, we were able to support these businesses and shape them into viable ones. And this is to make sure they have the people in mind, profitability and also thinking about the planet as well.

“In the future, we are looking at having more businesses that are environmentally conscious. One of Ghana’s challenges is our waste challenges. And it is these businesses that turn these wastes into profits, and benefit the environment,” he said. 

Corporate Trainer, Ms. Rita Krampah encouraged beneficiaries to uphold entrepreneurship and sustainable business ethics. 

“Somebody created the job, you (beneficiaries) want to be an employee. You can also create jobs and employ others as well. Now you will vet other than be vetted. So wherever you are and you start seeing people throwing waste around. Take advantage. 

Because you are coming from recycling, your business model is different. 

“Respect time. That of your employees, and customers. Your interaction with your consumers should have an element of time consciousness. We are in a very competitive world, and if you don't respect time, you will lose customers,” she said. 

A fashion designer and beneficiary, Gladys Kyei Oforiwaa, is very happy the training has been an eye-opener. 

“Upon applying and getting a chance to be part of this incubation programme, I realized there are a lot of things I didn't know. I needed to take proper notice of my finances, and stand up to the challenge when I encountered an investor. And also how to search for open markets. I got to know that even though it was my business, I needed to register it. I learned how to be investor ready and I am very grateful to SNV and Recycle Up,” she said. 

Beneficiaries were awarded certificates, and citations.

The Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) project is a four-year project implemented in the Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana.

The project is an European Union funded programme that SNV Ghana is implementing with the United Nations Capital Development Fund.

The project seeks to support the development and scale-up of businesses in the agriculture sector, renewable energy and water and sanitation.

It targets young people between the ages of 15 and 35.