By:tntnewspapergh.com

MTN Ghana has organised the 3rd edition of its SME Accelerate programme as part of empowering and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow, digitise, and compete more effectively in the local and global space.
The Ashanti Regional version of SME clinics was held on Wednesday, 8th April, 2026, at the Dome of Golden Bean Hotel in Kumasi.

The training aimed to help the SMEs to grow by leveraging MTN’s SME clinic platforms to reach their customers and potential customers across the globe.It also aimed to give the SMEs capacity building in financial literacy, marketing strategies, and available opportunities to enable them to expand their businesses.

Some scenes from the event

A similar training has already been held in Ho in the Volta Region after the official launching in Accra, with similar ones to be soon held at Takoradi, Tamale and Koforidua in the Eastern region.In an interview with journalists, Mr Abubakar Sidiq Mohammed, Senior Manager for SME Sales-MTN Ghana, said the programme is built on a foundation of accountability and measurability.

According to him, MTN’s strategic partners do not simply offer one-off sessions; they actively monitor and measure the tangible impact of the programme on each participant.

Participants in a group photograph with MTN Ghana staff

He explained that the programme focuses on providing guidance to SMEs on digital tools to enable them to optimise their daily operations, reduce overhead costs, and effectively scale their business models to meet modern market demands.Mr Sidiq Mohammed said the year-long clinics serve as more than just networking hubs for SME owners.

“The clinics are designed to address the specific “pain points” of Ghanaian businesses, such as digital integration, supply chain management, and regulatory compliance.”

He revealed that the capacity-building programme has so far benefited over 900 SMEs, mostly women, in the last three years.He said the SME Accelerate programme forms part of MTN’s commitment to equip entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and partnerships required to operate better, faster, and smarter in an increasingly digital business environment.

The key facilitator for training, Mr Kofi Essuman, the vice president of Education World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and executive member of the Institute of Packaging, Ghana, mentioned that trade plays a critical role in the level of prosperity in a country because it creates jobs, etc.According to him, the economic performance of a country is the single most important factor influencing the consumption of packaging.

He said the level of economic activity has a direct influence on the demand for products and goods.

He therefore advised participants that anybody who wants to come to the market with a product must take into consideration formulation, package, and image/brand.He explained that “packaging is a socio-scientific discipline which operates in a society to ensure delivery to the ultimate customer in the best condition intended for their use,” according to John Wiley & Sons (1997).

The package must sell what it protects and protects what it sells.He advised SME owners that whenever they want to come out with products in the market, they should think of the material, shape, and accessories.Adding to that, packaging protects/preserves the product, communicates facts, positions the product, and also promotes sales.

The participants were also taught about packaging for market penetration.On the objectives of packaging data, he mentioned the introduction of products into the market, improved packaging to reduce damage and loss, and maintained share by responding to changes, etc.

On what triggers packaging design, he proposed SMES embark on redesigning packaging every 3-6 years to stay relevant, immediately realising sales decline and competitors outselling them since “your brand positioning changes”, etc.

A number of beneficiaries of the training, including Jemima Kyeraa of Nhayaikins Prime Enterprise, producer of cereals & fruit juice, and Prudence Salasi Oda-Boso of Elysian Royal Sash, commended MTN Ghana for the timely empowerment training programme.

They urged MTN Ghana to sustain the educative and game-changing training programme for SMEs’ growth.