The much awaited event organized for the Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) in Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis , by Calbank and Focus 1 Media successfully took place yesterday at the Best Western Plus Atlantic Hotel with overwhelming numbers .
The event saw business owners, entrepreneurs and other industry players from all walks of life taking part in the august ceremony.
The Patrons had opportunity to be educated and provided with Tailored – made solutions to relevant modern business issues such as Digital Financing, Taxation, and Insurance with seasoned business experts
The forum was an avenue for SMEs in the metropolis to share some of their day to day challenges in business for expert advice .
In an exclusive interview with the Chief Executive Officer of Focus 1 Media on the motivation behind the Clinic , Mr. Kwame Adu – Mante told Spice News that the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises contributed about 70% of Ghana’s GDP yet they are face with numerous challenges including access to funds, issue about Taxation and more, “this called for the need to collaborate with CalBank with support from Prudential Life Insurance, Ghana to enlighten SMEs in the Metropolis on issues such as Taxation, digital banking and insurance to enhance their businesses”.
He went ahead to express appreciation to the Western Regional Minister, Kobby Okyere Darko Mensah and the overwhelming number of Patrons who throng to the event to make it a success.
The Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah being the keynote speaker urged all business operators in the country to take advantage of the Government’s initiative of transforming Ghana’s economy through digitalization, especially in the banking system.
The Western Regional Minister also point out that although COVID-19 was a challenge for many businesses, on the other hand, it brought new ideas and opened windows of opportunities for a technological revolution which equally enhanced business.
“As we all know, today, the world faces dramatically new and challenging circumstances. The COVID-19 precisely has brought far-reaching social, economic and geopolitical implications on countries and their economies but it came with its own benefits which has opened new chapters for doing business ”, he said.
The Assistant Commissioner and head of Ghana Revenue Authority, Takoradi Area, acknowledged the call by participants for more education to understand and appreciate Ghana’s Tax regime.
Mr. George Amankwa Boateng assured Spice News that GRA will be intensifying its educational campaigns to increase the knowledge of the general public on Tax regulations.
He however lamented over people’s low level of enthusiasm in receiving educational messages championed by the GRA.
” GRA has tried couple of education but people don’t seem to be listening that is why loads of SMEs don’t seem to have better understanding of the Tax Regime” .
Philip Owiredu, Managing Director of Calbank, added that the program was a timely intervention and called on the SMEs to apply the knowledge acquired at the workshop to enhance their businesses especially on how to deal with banks including appropriate measures to take in order to apply for loans to ensure that their needs are met.
Insurance which remains key in every business due to the risk and uncertainity associated with day to day business activities, Dorithy Tsidi, Chief Commercial Officer(AG), Prudential Life Insurance Ghana shared numerous flexible insurance packages that could cushion SMEs in times of need and urged SMEs to pay critical attention to insurance.
The SMEs also had opportunity to interact with the speakers through a panel discussion where their concerns were addressed.
In all, the event was also spiced with side attractions like, the Dip and Win where participants got opportunity to win numerous gifts including electrical appliances amongst others.
To crown it all, patrons were awarded with certificate of participation which serves as an evidence for future reference and opportunities.
Participants finally expressed gratitude to the organizers and called for such events be organized from time to time.
The Calbank/Focus 1 Media Business Clinic was supported by Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, Spice FM 91.9 and Beach FM 105.5
Story by Kwame Offei
