The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) has been engaging interest groups in the Ashanti region on access to the Covid-19 response grant.

The grant is to provide liquidity and support to enable SMEs to adjust and grow out of the Covid-19 crisis in selected sectors of the economy.

The programme under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project will have a strong focus on Ghanaian export-oriented firms, female-owned enterprises, companies owned by persons with disability and youth enterprises.

These should fall within the small and medium enterprise category.

The project disbursed ¢28.7 million to more than 370 SMEs between September 2021 and March 2022 with 158 women-owned businesses as beneficiaries.

However, ¢38 million is earmarked for the expansion of the Covid-19 response grant.

Deputy Regional Director at the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Daniel Owusu Ansah, says the engagement will allow GEA to interact with stakeholders and provide information about eligible sectors, minimum qualification requirements and the selection for the grant.

"...The nationwide grant will focus on only SMEs most impacted by the Covid-19. A portal has been provided for small and medium enterprises to register".

About 400 small, and medium enterprises will benefit from the Covid-19 response grant to sustain and grow their business.

Regional Manager for the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) for Ashanti and Bono regions, Thompson Appam Attebila, urged businesses to utilize the money effectively.

"Most businesses suffered during the outbreak of Covid-19 but I believe this grant will revive most businesses. Business owners should avoid using the grant for personal things and invest in their businesses," he said.

Prince, a business owner, who spoke to Luv Biz said," Persons with disability are productive when it comes to business and we've employed a lot of people in our companies. I want to thank the GEA for always supporting persons with disability".

The COVID-19 response grant programme is funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP).