Entrepreneurs in Ghana have been urged to invest in improved packaging, branding, and product quality to enhance their competitiveness on both local and international markets.
This call was made at a one-day learning and experience-sharing forum held in Accra as part of the Social Enterprise Accelerators (SEA) programme, organised by Densu Associates in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Dolores Dickson, Executive Director of Densu Associates, commended the Mastercard Foundation, social entrepreneurs, and representatives from key government ministries for their continued support.
She described their presence at the event as a demonstration of their shared commitment to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship in Ghana.
Reflecting on the progress of the SEA pilot programme, Mrs. Dickson noted that it had supported a dynamic group of social entrepreneurs who are making significant impacts in their communities.
“Today’s gathering offers a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of what has worked, what we’ve learned, and what can be improved,” she said.
She added that the forum aimed to provide a platform for experience sharing, highlight key lessons from the SEA programme, and explore collaborative strategies to scale the initiative and strengthen Ghana’s social enterprise ecosystem.
Also speaking at the event, Madam Nafisatu Yussif, Lead for Gender and Safeguarding at the Mastercard Foundation, delivered a speech on behalf of Rica Rwigamba, the Foundation’s Country Director, she praised Densu Associates for the SEA initiative, which aligns with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, a plan to help three million young Ghanaians, particularly women, access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
Madam Philomena Norman, Acting Director for Women Entrepreneurship Development at the Ghana Enterprises Agency, encouraged social entrepreneurs to consolidate the gains made through the programme, assuring them of continued government support to create an enabling environment.
Also, Mr. Samuel Kaku, Principal Programme Officer at the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, urged the youth to stay away from drug abuse and alcoholism, stressing that the government is introducing youth-focused programmes to equip them with employable skills or help them start their own businesses.
He added that beneficiaries would be linked to support schemes such as MASLOC for access to microloans.
