The CalBank and Focus 1 Media event hosted for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has come to a successful end.

The SMEs Clinic was organised for people who are engaged in SMEs to seek expert advice on business challenges.

The forum held on Saturday at Best Western Plus Atlantic Hotel in Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis attracted large crowds including business owners, entrepreneurs and other industry players from all walks of life.

Patrons of the event were given the nod to educate and provide tailored –made solutions to the masses on Digital Financing, Taxation and Insurance with business gurus.

The Chief Executive of Focus 1 Media, Kwame Adu – Mante in an interview with Spice News said SMEs in the country contribute about 70% of Ghana’s GDP hence the need for programme to motivate SMEs on how to solve some of the challenges they are embattled with such as access funds and, issues surrounding taxation.

“This called for the need to collaborate with CalBank with support from Prudential Life Insurance, Ghana to enlighten SMEs in the Metropolis on issues such as Taxation, digital banking and insurance to enhance their businesses,” he said.

The keynote speaker of the forum who doubles as the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah implored business operators to take advantage of the government's initiative to digitalize Ghana's economy, particularly in the banking sector.

He also noted that “COVID-19 precisely has brought far-reaching social, economic and geopolitical implications on countries and their economies but it came with its own benefits which have opened new chapters for doing business.”

On his part, the Managing Director of Calbank, Philip Owiredu called on SMEs to apply the knowledge acquired from the Clinic to expand their business.

Participants of the Clinic expressed their gratitude to the organizers and called for such events to be organized from time to time.

The Assistant Commissioner and head of Ghana Revenue Authority, Takoradi Area, acknowledged the call by participants for more education to understand and appreciate Ghana’s Tax regime. He also used the opportunity to educate SMEs on Ghana’s Tax regime.

”GRA has tried a couple of education but people don’t seem to be listening that is why loads of SMEs don’t seem to have better understanding of the Tax Regime,” he said.