President Nana Akufo-Addo has commissioned the Tumu Business Resource Centre, which has been established by the Trade Ministry to provide strategic support and assistance to the domestic private sector operating at the Sissala East district level.

Thus far, 67 Business Resource Centres (BRCs), including the one at Tumu, have been established and have already commenced operations, with companies operating under Government’s 1-District-1-Factory set to benefit from the assistance to be provided by the BRCs.

The BRCs are being financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) and GRATIS Foundation as the two implementing agencies.  

It will be recalled that, upon the assumption of office by the NPP Government in 2017, the Ministry of Trade and Industry took steps to realign the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) to respond to the emerging opportunities under government’s Industrial Transformation Agenda, such as the 1-District-1-Factory initiative, and other related interventions. Indeed, the Rural Enterprises Programme is currently supporting some 63 1D1F projects.

All BRCs are being managed by experienced professionals, have been equipped with modern office logistics, and will soon be connected digitally through a Virtual Private Network to facilitate efficient delivery of their operations.

Again, all the BRCs will liaise extensively with business regulatory agencies such as the Registrar Generals’ Department (RGD), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to provide a full bouquet of business support services at the district level.

In addition to supporting 1D1F companies, at the district level, the BRCs provide the following services to other MSMEs: training in management and entrepreneurship; business counselling and advisory services; preparation of business plans; facilitating access to financial services and credit; and facilitating access to markets.

The President expressed his gratitude to the Chiefs and people of Tumu and urged the people to offer their support to ensure that the Centre is able to provide the requisite assistance to the private sector to enhance the development of the local economy of the Sissala East district and the surrounding communities.