MTN Ghana, under its SME Accelerate Programme, has held a business capability training session aimed at equipping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with practical knowledge and tools to grow their operations.

The session, held on Tuesday, May 6, at the MTN House in Accra, brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs from different sectors and many of whom also showcased their products.

Welcoming participants, Senior Manager for SME Sales at MTN Ghana, Saddick Mohammed Abubakari, highlighted the importance of positioning and packaging in unlocking business opportunities.

He urged participants to improve how they present their products and services, stressing that many businesses miss out on opportunities due to poor packaging and branding.

“Opportunities are out there, but you must position and package yourself for them,” he said.

He also encouraged businesses to add value to local products instead of exporting raw materials, using processed yam and cassava as examples of untapped potential for global markets.

In his keynote address, the President of the Institute of Packaging, Ghana, Kofi Essuman, provided an in-depth presentation on trade, value chains, and packaging.

He explained that value addition must result in profit, not just transformation.

“The value created is the profit margin. If you’re not making profit, you’re not adding value,” he said.

Mr Essuman described packaging as a vital economic tool that influences how products reach markets and compete globally.

He emphasised that packaging should not only focus on appearance but also include the technology, material, and strategy used to protect, preserve, and market products.

Mr Essuman warned against the use of unsuitable materials like black polythene, which can be harmful and illegal, especially for food packaging.

He demonstrated how to select suitable packaging for various products and introduced modern innovations such as edible films, bio-based plastics, and modified atmosphere packaging, which not only improve presentation and shelf life but are also environmentally friendly.

He encouraged SMEs to consider the nature of their product whether it is food, cosmetics, or solid items and when choosing packaging.

The President of the Institute of Packaging, Ghana, also advised SMEs to understand their target market, experiment with different materials, think about the ideal packaging size for customer convenience, and ensure their packaging meets environmental and legal standards, including labelling regulations.

Participants had the opportunity to share their experiences and ask questions related to real-world challenges. These included issues around competition, branding, and navigating the packaging value chain.

They also had the opportunity to display their products at the event, showcasing a range of locally made goods that reflected creativity, innovation.

A representative from GCB Bank delivered a session on financial literacy and record keeping, urging participants to adopt structured bookkeeping practices and disciplined financial habits.

A Mobile Money merchant trainer with MTN, Samuel Opoku-Agyeman, also spoke on the importance of financial inclusion.

He encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of financial tools and platforms to stay active in the digital economy.

The MTN Business team used the opportunity to introduce several digital solutions designed to help SMEs streamline their operations. One of the flagship offers was the YellowBiz bundle, a one-time package priced at GH₵1,200.

It includes a high-speed router, a one-year website domain and hosting, three-month access to Microsoft 365, and a cloud-based phone system. According to MTN, the package allows the router number to double as a business contact and includes website development support.

Participants were also introduced to WebWiz, a service that provides full website design and management for SMEs. Another product, MTNBusinessMessenger, allows businesses to send SMS campaigns using their brand name instead of random numbers ideal for promotions and customer outreach.

To help business owners keep an eye on their operations, MTN unveiled BusinessEye, a smart surveillance system with remote monitoring, cloud storage, solar power backup, and two-way communication. It allows users to monitor their shops or premises in real-time, even from a mobile device.

Special products were also showcased for women entrepreneurs. One such package, Adwumapa, includes free on-net calls, data for social media, and business insurance coverage, starting from as low as GH₵50.

Additional solutions like SMEPlus and FibreBroadbandforBusiness were promoted for their affordable data, voice, and connectivity features, helping SMEs stay connected with their customers and partners across the country.

The training session was part of MTN Ghana’s broader commitment to support the digital transformation and capacity-building of SMEs across the country.