In a vibrant ceremony held at the conference room of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Head Office in Accra, the Ghana National Association of Garment Makers (GNAGM), celebrated the successful completion of the training of its members in the Improving Access to Finance training for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The event, attended by members of the association, representatives from other trade association, and GIZ representatives, highlighted the achievements of a flagship initiative under the GIZ Support to the Private and Financial Sector (PFS) Programme, which has so far trained 2,909 MSMEs from thirteen different trade associations across Greater Accra, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions.

This capacity building initiative targeted members of the 13 national trade associations including GNAGM to enhance their capacity to manage their business efficiently, promote business growth and enhance their ability to engage more workers. The training focused on building capacity in business, financial and risk management to help the entrepreneurs make informed financial decisions, improve their business management practices, and enhance access to financial services.

The training was designed with inclusion at its core. Of the 2,909 participants trained across thirteen trade associations, 778 — representing 27% — were members of the Ghana National Association of Garment Makers (GNAGM). Overall, 54% of participants were women, 46% were men, 17.4% were persons with disabilities, and 26.7% were young entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 35.

The GNAGM ceremony was a celebration of the impact of the intervention with the presentation of certificates to the graduates. Some of the graduates shared how the training has led to their understanding of savings small amounts of their income to expand their, better management of their finances, and how they have been able to access credit from some financial institutions. According to others, they have been able to open accounts with some financial institutions and have started saving.

With support from GIZ and funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the initiative aligns with Ghana’s national development priorities and Germany’s 2030 Agenda for Reform. It contributes to inclusive private sector growth, financial resilience, poverty reduction, women’s economic empowerment, and job creation — while advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 8 and 10) and promoting equitable, long-term growth.

As part of the broader PFS programme, GIZ Ghana continues to collaborate with financial institutions, regulators, and trade associations to create an enabling environment for MSMEs to thrive.

A short documentary highlighting beneficiaries’ voices and transformation stories can be viewed on our social media platforms.