Despite efforts by the government to equip start-ups and entrepreneurs with finance and business advisory services, one challenge that cripples these businesses is the access to a ready market.

It is for this reason that the Ministry of business development and national entrepreneurship and innovation plan (NEIP) has launched the Ghana Online Mall to expose startups and entrepreneurs access to finance and international markets.  

Minister for Business Development, Mohammed Awal charged entrepreneurs to make it a point to include value-addition and time management on their products and services.

"You are competing with the global market. You must either add value to your product or risk getting swept under the carpet. This is part of the reason why we have launched this product. You must be time cautious and meet deadlines because this is a global environment," he revealed.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Online Mall is the third of four online platforms introduced by the NEIP for entrepreneurs and startups.

The electronic platform, funded by the government, will enable entrepreneurs to upload certified products or services on the platform, availing such businesses to prospective customers at no cost.

Presenting the keynote address on behalf of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah disclosed that the e-platform will make the businesses of freelancers visible on the global landscape.

“The online mall platform which will be a pool of services providers with diverse backgrounds is an avenue for job creation especially for our students, unemployed graduates, busy mums, artisans and all those who can offer some form of services in the comfort of their homes.

We anticipate creating a minimum of 8,000 jobs from the initiative within the first twelve months,” Mr Baffour Awuah said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), John Kumah has mentioned that business development hubs and working spaces are at the core of Government’s quest to get a lot of Ghanaians into entrepreneurship.

The Ghana Online Mall, under the auspices of the Ministry of Business Development; and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), will serve as a market for Ghanaian businesses and SMEs to thrive.