MTN Ghana has partnered Absa Bank and SMEGA Grow Africa to train Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Tamale on building stronger business models through branding and better management.

The two-day Business Clinic, held as part of MTN’s 30th anniversary celebrations in Ghana, brought together entrepreneurs and business owners from across the Northern Region to gain practical skills aimed at strengthening their businesses and improving their market reach.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, Mr Abubakari Sidick Mohammed, Senior Manager for SME Sales, Partnerships and Business Broadband at MTN Ghana, said SMEs remain central to the country’s economy and job creation.

“They are so powerful and so important that they contribute not less than 70% of our GDP and, in terms of employment, they contribute significantly to employment and create a lot of job opportunities for Ghanaians,” he said.

He said MTN Ghana saw the clinic as part of its support for the sector, noting that many small businesses continue to struggle with challenges such as access to digital tools and funding. The training, he added, was meant to help them reposition themselves for growth and international competitiveness.

A business and brand consultant, Richard Maglo, who served as one of the facilitators, said understanding a business model is essential for growth. He explained that value proposition, target audience, distribution channels, revenue streams and cost structure are key elements businesses must get right when building a brand.

Participants welcomed the initiative, saying the training had given them fresh ideas to improve their businesses. One participant, Tijani Aishetu, said the branding session was especially valuable because customer perception can differ from how business owners view their own brands.

“I’m very glad to be part of the MTN SME clinic,” she said. “The topic on branding was very important. Sometimes what you think about your brand is different from what your consumers think, so it has helped me to rethink and focus on my consumer needs.”

The organisers say the clinic is part of broader efforts to support the growth of SMEs, improve business performance and help local enterprises compete more effectively in a changing economy.

By Blessed EDUAMOAH DADZIE