In a significant boost to Ghana's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA), under the close leadership of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has received support in the form of six Toyota Hilux pick-ups, alongside essential office equipment.

This support, provided by the Government of Japan with technical assistance from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), aims to enhance GEA's capacity to deliver training services across the nation using the Kaizen Approach, a testament to the collaborative efforts aimed at economic development and MSME support in Ghana.

The support forms part of the "Expanding the Kaizen Initiative by Enhancing Sustainable Agri-Business" project, funded by Japan.

This initiative underscores the commitment to scale national efforts for MSME promotion, focusing on sustainable and continual enhancement of business quality and productivity across Ghana.

Hisanobu Mochizuki, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, highlighted Japan's dedication to Ghana's development journey during the ceremony.

"This support to GEA reaffirms our unwavering commitment to Ghana's growth, particularly in improving economic prospects and enterprise performance through efficient resource maximization," stated Ambassador Mochizuki.

Acknowledging the challenges posed by global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Charles Abani, UN Resident Coordinator, emphasized the timeliness of this project.

He noted, "MSMEs play a crucial role in Ghana's economy, driving societal development and generating employment. Through capacity building, the UN's support in Ghana aims to facilitate MSME growth, market access, and international trade."

Stavros Papastavrou, representing UNIDO in Ghana and Liberia, pledged continued support using UNIDO's expertise in Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) to promote the Kaizen approach and industrial development in Ghana.

Expressing gratitude for this international cooperation, Kosi Yankey, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Enterprises Agency, highlighted the government's prioritisation of MSME development as a cornerstone for job creation and economic development.

"The support from the Government of Japan and UNIDO is invaluable to our Industrial Transformation Agenda and the post-COVID recovery efforts," said Madam Kosie.

She added: “Recognizing the pivotal role of MSMEs in driving economic growth, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) and UNIDO have forged a strategic partnership, focusing on empowering women — a vital component of Ghana's economic fabric.”

Launched in September 2022, the project aims to improve the quality and productivity of Ghana's MSMEs through Kaizen practices and UNIDO’s digital dashboard system, "Smart and Sustainable Agri-Business (SSAB)," illustrating a commitment to revitalizing the economy and transforming industry and agriculture in line with Ghana’s national goals.