AGI must help build capacity of local entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur and chief executive of Tamale-based Zaa Radio, Alhaji Muhammad Ibn Umar, has called on the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and development partners to scale-up networking initiatives that will draw youth of the area into entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the opening of this year’s Annual Entrepreneurship, Investment and Exhibition Conference in Tamale, he said such a network will also build the capacity of local entrepreneurs to expand their new businesses and create more jobs.

Alhaji Umar further urged financial institutions to consider entrepreneurship as a major business opportunity, and explore innovative options such as venture debt and soft loans to encourage entrepreneurial funding.

He said: “The opportunities created by today’s global knowledge economy coupled with the unshackling of indigenous enterprise have contributed to making the north a fertile ground for entrepreneurship in areas of agriculture, livestock, food and agro-processing.

“Northern Ghana is blessed with enormous trade and investment opportunities, and if well tapped would help leverage the country’s poverty rate to deter the youth from migrating south to look for jobs that do not exist.”

Alhaji Umar advised the youth of Tamale to take advantage of the region’s potentials to create jobs for themselves instead of seeking white-collar jobs; adding that “establishing your own business can help you reduce the unemployment rate”.

He also urged government to encourage a conducive business environment, ensure simplified start-up processes, improve the delivery time, reduce corruption, collate informational needs of start-ups, improve corporate governance norms, create an environment that will reduce risk, and encourage more seed funds and corporate players to provide start-up funding.

The seven-day fair and conferences focus on small and medium-scale enterprises to create a platform that aims to promote and showcase growth of business, investments and entrepreneurship, as well as build the capacity of people in the northern region and link businesses to investors.

A number of companies exhibited their products, while public and private institutions will take turns to make presentations about their products and services during the week-long event that will end on Sunday November 15.

Some of the companies and institutions that exhibited their products and services include Sekaf Ghana Limited, an indigenous producer of cosmetics using Shea butter; Spinal Clinic Limited; Cool World; and Ghana Standards Authority among others.

Mr. Isaac N.T. Hammond said the Tamale Regional Officer Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) notes that Tamale is one of the regions endowed with business activities which can help improve the economy.

He reiterated the commitment of GSA to ensuring that all unregistered goods that could affect human health are not allowed on the market.

He urged the public to patronise made-in-Ghana goods which are of good quality and healthy, adding: “If we buy the local products, it will help them generate more income to expand their businesses”.