The Deputy Managing Director, Finance and Administration of Activa International Insurance Company Limited, Mrs Genevieve Tachie, has revealed that her company is putting in place systems to support SMEs and Women businesses in particular.

She said the fact that Ghana is among the fastest-growing economies in the world must be clearly seen in the development of SMEs and women entrepreneurs in the country.

Mrs Tachie said this when she delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the Managing Director of Activa International Insurance Company Limited, Mr Solomon Lartey at the 6th edition of Small-Medium Enterprise Ghana Awards (SMEGA), held in Accra on Thursday, 26th September 2019 at the Accra International Conference centre.

“We deem it an honour once again to join Imagine 8, its board, executives, captains of industry, dignitaries, fellow sponsors, to honour outstanding enterprises at the 6th edition of the SME Ghana Awards on the theme:  BUILDING GLOBAL BRANDS THROUGH EFFECTIVE RE-TOOLING STRATEGIES”, she said.

She hinted that, according to the World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of entrepreneurship in the world, with approximately 42% of the non-agricultural labour force classified as self-employed or employers. Yet most entrepreneurs are unable to grow their businesses beyond small-scale subsistence operations, impeding their contribution to poverty reduction and shared prosperity. And this is particularly so for women. In fact, sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where women make up the majority of those who are entrepreneurs. 

“However, Women businesses are faced with a host of impediments ranging from difficulty in accessing capital, information and other business protection facilities. It is for these reasons and more that, as part of Activa’s Corporate Social Responsibility, and beyond sponsoring the 6th edition of SME Awards; Activa International Insurance has decided to partner with the SMEGA in driving the agenda for financial inclusion and also to equip women entrepreneurs with the required training, skills and tools for creating systems and structures that will facilitate the growth of their businesses and manage their risks. Activa also provided award winners with insurance cover worth GH¢3million”, she added.

SMEGA rewarded SMEs under various categories including SMEGA Entrepreneurship Discovery Award, which was won by Jilfa Trends, Rising Star Award won by Spark Food and Beverages, Service Sector Education Award won by MBA Mode Ghana Limited, whilst Service Sector Financial Institution Award was won by Summit Vision Microfinance.

Other winners were Trades Sector Textiles and Clothing won by MBA Mode Ghana, Trade Sector Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics won by Aide Chemist Limited, Agri Products won by Greencesta Ventures & Consulting Limited, and Media Reportage Award was won by Biz Trends Show.