Social Enterprise Ghana (SE Ghana) has held the Ghana Social Enterprise Policy Dialogue and the Ghana Social Enterprise Forum in Accra.

This initiative, supported by the programme “Sustainable Employment through Agribusiness (AgriBiz) in Ghana” commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ, held discussions aimed at advancing advocacy for a more robust and supportive environment for social enterprises in Ghana, particularly those within the agribusiness sector.

The State of Agribusiness Social Enterprises in Ghana report reveals that over 115,000 social enterprises contribute approximately $1.4 billion to the country’s GDP and provide jobs for more than 400,000 people.

Despite these contributions, many enterprises, especially those led by young women, people with disabilities, and refugee farmers, face significant challenges, including limited access to land, inadequate financial solutions, and a lack of tailored policies.

Social Enterprise Ghana, which represents around 1,100 organisations with more than 55% of them operating as climate-smart agribusiness, has been working to advocate for a Ghana Social Enterprise Policy.

This proposed policy has six thematic areas which include providing a legal framework and recognition of social enterprises, establishing a Ghana Social Enterprise Fund, and creating quotas for the provision of social goods and services.

The dialogue sessions involved key government agencies including the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Food and Agriculture, among others.

The event pushed for the adoption of a comprehensive policy that addresses issues like investment access, market opportunities, and gender and green outcomes in agribusiness.

Progress has been made through various dialogues and the development of policy papers, but continued advocacy is necessary.

Consultant For SE-Ghana, Professor Ernest Asamoah, speaking with the media said the policy captures the key solutions to issues affecting organisations adding that the next step is for the policy to be presented to parliament for passage and its subsequent implementation.

Executive Director SE-Ghana, Edwin Zu-Cudjoe said it was time the government bought into the policy since its implementation would help address employment and environmental issues.

“So we call on the government and the Ministry of Trade and Industry to ensure the policy is passed, adopted and implemented so the country can have the full benefit of social enterprise,” he said.