Some women-led small and medium-scale enterprises in the Volta Region have lamented what they describe as marginalisation in accessing government policies and programmes.
They indicated that although these policies are designed to support the operation and expansion of enterprises, “the opportunities are limited to industry players in the national capital, Accra.”
They disclosed this during a familiarisation tour by Dela Gbeve, the Volta and Oti Regional Treasurer for the Association of Ghana Industries.
The tour provided first-hand details of challenges being experienced at the various entities he visited in commemoration of the International Women’s Day.
He observed that at Padan Development Center, a fashion and textile training institute founded by Mrs patience Eyram Viegbedor is on its knees due to various factors.
Mrs. Viegbedor identified the need to rejuvenate her centre which is already equipped with 20 digital industrial sewing machines, “to enable her train more young women.”
She also added that the lack of expertise, and visibility were factors in the gradual collapse of the center, though she expressed interest in the 24-hour Economy Policy.
She implored the AGI to assist SMEs in the Volta Region, including her outfit to access opportunities made available by the government.
“We feel like it is only SMEs in Accra that the government opportunities and supports are available to. We here in the Volta Region have no chance at those opportunities. We beg the AGI to speak for us so we can also leverage the support to develop our entities”, she said.
AGI’s response
Mr. Gbeve emphasized that the AGI will liaise with the appropriate institutions in charge of the policies, especially the 24-hour Economy Secretariat to ensure SMEs in his jurisdiction benefit from the government interventions.
He also hinted that AGI intends to undertake periodic engagements with members to identify their shortfalls among others and work at improving their operations.
“It is a promise that we have will more future engagement for more benefits of belonging to the Association”, he said.
Membership drive
He debunked the assertion that AGI only belongs to large-scale companies and urged SMEs to join the association which provides numerous supports, benefits and opportunities.
“AGI is not only for large-scale businesses, but in fact, the small-scale businesses constitute the majority of the membership”, he said.
Mr. Gbeve concluded that the hierarchy of the Association is considering introducing quarterly payments of membership dues, instead of annual to make the payment more flexible for members.
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