Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are being encouraged to explore and venture environmentally focused business opportunities.

Some players in the MSME sector believe this budding area holds the key to solving many social problems as well as enhancing business sustainability.

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) together with SNV, under the GrEEn project, is spearheading the initiative to support such projects being implemented in 10 districts in the Ashanti and Western regions.

It has been observed that one main challenge that impedes the growth of start-ups, entrepreneurs and MSMEs has been access to credit and business sustainability.

Under the GrEEn Project, UNCDF has partnered with the SNV to support the incubation of new or early-stage green businesses with technical support systems as well.

Technical Advisor with the UNCDF, Angela Yayra Quarshie said, "under result three, we give them the opportunity to get in touch with financial institutions and micro-financial institutions”.

Ms Quarshie says it is important to boost the sector’s performance.

“Through this project, GrEEn will incubate and accelerate SMEs, by offering decent and sustainable jobs to youth, women and returning migrants to contribute to green and climate-resilient local economies”.

She said this at a week-long trainer of trainers’ program for SOS staff and trainers on the GrEEn project to train cash for work recipient to improve their employability skills.

Project Coordinator for SOS GrEEn project, Shaibu Fuseini, revealed the project is targeting 4,000 cash-for-work beneficiaries

"These beneficiaries will gain some short-term jobs where they will be paid a daily minimum wage of ¢13,” he said.

The group for a week also held an exhibition for green businesses in Kumasi meant to strengthen local ecosystems that support youth employment and the growth of SMEs.

Incubation and Acceleration lead, SNV GrEEn project, Genevieve Parker Twum, said the SMEs are put in incubation and acceleration programs where they are supported to grow their businesses.

“The goal for us is job creation, so through the skills development program we boost employment opportunities for participants."

The four-year project is funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Ghana, SNV and UNCDF.