With Ghana’s economy seeing an exponential dip in recent times, there have been calls to develop strategic policies in supporting the patronage of green businesses and their products in the country. 

Ashanti Regional Director of the Ministry of Trades and Industry, Mamuda Osman believes the optimisation and patronage of environmentally-sustainable enterprises could shore up the sinking economy. 

He says the continuous dependence on imported goods would not only throw the country into economic difficulties but also threaten national security. 

“It is important for us to come to terms to develop strategies to sustain green businesses for the development of our economy. One of the reasons that make Ghana’s economy struggle is inadequate industrialisation making us dependent on imports. Any country that depends heavily on imports risks its economy to weak currency, unemployment and poverty. All of these threaten national security,” he said.

Speaking at the SNV GREEN Regional Trade show held in Kumasi, Mamuda Osman noted the essence of embracing a GrEEn and circular economy through industrialisation. 

“Some of the businesses here have produced artifacts from waste, including charcoal briquettes, organic compost, laptop bags... These are helping to keep our environment clean and mitigate climate change. If we can boost our economy, then we must eat and wear such local products,” he said.

The 3-day exhibition and dialogue held under the theme: “Sustainable Trade Investment, the Future for the Ghanaian Economy”, was in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, GIZ Ghana, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA). 

The trade show brought together over 50 green businesses from SNV’s GrEEn Incubation and Acceleration Programme in the region who showcased their products and services.  

Items on display varied from cosmetics, accessories, to agricultural and edible products.

Project Manager of the Green Project at SNV Ghana - Laouali Sadda

The project manager of the Green Project at SNV Ghana, Laouali Sadda, indicated that support for green businesses in the country warrants a sustainable and environmentally-friendly future. 

“We at SNV strongly believe that one of the ways to address access to basic services for all and mitigate the effects of climate change on livelihoods is to assist local businesses and communities to be climate resilient. By supporting local businesses like the 58 SMEs of this 3-day GrEEn Regional Trade Show, SNV and our partners are guaranteeing a green future for the Ashanti region, Ghana and the world,” he said.

Since 2021, the SNV has carried out regional trade shows to support green businesses to increase their market access, promote their products and services and increase their sales to boost production and create jobs.

The Association of Ghana Industries reiterated commitments to supporting businesses, calling on the citizenry to protect the environment through the patronage of renewable businesses. 

Ashanti and Bono-Ahafo Regional Manager of AGI, Thomas Appam Atebilla charged non-green businesses to ensure sustainable and eco-friendly measures in their businesses.

“We have urged our members to incorporate sustainable and climate-resilient activities in their businesses. This is how they will be able to reach the international market. With the new policies and regulations put in place, all businesses who seek to export must abide by these standards to protect the environment while they make their gains,” he said.