S
By:J K Owusu Boakye
An Energy Law Consultant and Broadcast Journalist,who is also an economist,has stated that the NPP government can promote economic revival and boost enterprising initiatives which creates jobs and wealth fir the people by supporting women groups and SMEs with targeted grants support to ensure that,they are financial independent in their business activities in an era of global economic recovery process.
JK Owusu-Boakye was speaking to some women associations and SMEs in a fact finding research in Ashanti Region and Greater Accra.
J K Owusu-Boakye
The Indigenous Caterers Association and School Feeding Caterers Association,together with some General Traders in Import and Export businesses where contacted and selected from Mampong,Offinso,Adansi Asokwa,Agogo,Tepa,Asante Akyim central and Dome Kwabenya, Kaneshie,Agbobloshie and Odododiodio ,La and Adenta – Madina constituencies in Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions,respectively.
As part of assessing the energy use and knowledge of energy transition to renewable sources,the study sought to ascertain the use of these SMEs ,mainly women of the level of participation and adoption of clean energy in cooking, manufacturing,household and enterprise use of renewable energy in Ghana.
Their challenges for example of the caterers ( food production and restaurant business,as well as cooking for students under GSFP) ,were mainly on access to capital , market changes as a result of COVID -19 affecting supply chain of goods and services,demand changes,exchange rates volatility( cedi/ dollar rates), operational and compliance risks,and financial and liquidity risks as some of the problems affecting them to grow their businesses in a very hard economic situation globally
They were of the view that government can cut the bureaucracies and make financial support available to them to enable them revive their collapse businesses and precarious financial situation and promote economic recovery and growth.
Most of them are using charcoal in their businesses and indicated that government support in clean cook stoves use will be adopted and solar powered electricity use could be a game changer for transition to green energy and sustain business activities and sustain growth in Ghana
It must be mentioned that SMEs in Ghana ,mainly women employs about 87% of the workforce and contributes significantly to GDP and any attempt to support them financially will provide economic stability and financial inclusion for the sector.
The groups complaint about slow paced support for SMEs in Ghana by GEA and Development partners and pleaded for expeditious grants support.
The writer is an Energy Law Consultant and Researcher in Renewable Energy Transition in Ghana.
