UNDP empowers District Assemblies and their Business Advisory/Resource Centres to effectively communicate with MSMEs

December 17, 2021

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana has organized a two-day strategic communications capacity-building training programme for six selected Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and their respective Business Advisory Centres (BACs) / Business Resource Centres (BRCs) across the country.

The training, aimed at equipping the MMDAs, BACs and BRCs to effectively communicate with Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), leveraging traditional and digital media. It is envisaged to bridge the gap between critical ecosystem players and MSMEs who need pertinent support to grow their businesses.

Speaking on the training, the Resident Representative of UNDP in Ghana, Dr. Angela Lusigi, stated that MMDAs and BACs/BRCs play critical roles in the growth and success of MSMEs in the various communities in which they operate.

“Building the capacities of MMDAs and BACs/BRCs to effectively reach out and communicate vital information is imperative to ensure the growth and success of MSMEs in the country. UNDP is committed to working with our partners to position MSMEs for growth. We have therefore invested in strengthening the ecosystem to support SME development in Ghana, building on initiatives by government, private sector and financial institutions,” said Dr. Lusigi.

Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana.

UNDP is currently carrying out market intelligence on investment opportunities, services and gaps to support women and youth-led MSMEs in Ghana to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as leverage opportunities in the AfCFTA, Dr. Lusigi added.

UNDP has recently provided over $500,000 in seed funding to 42 young Ghanaian MSMEs to enable them to fund their innovative businesses. These innovators are breaking new ground and creating jobs and livelihoods for many across the country.

MSMEs are the backbone of the Ghanaian economy – representing about 85% of businesses and contributing about 70% of Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The strategic communications support for the MMDAs, BACs/BRCs and MSMEs fall within the four areas of UNDP’s integrated support for MSMEs to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and leverage the AfCFTA. The other interventions include the market intelligence, MSME ecosystem mapping/prototype solution, and a digital gateway for real-time information. 

Ms. Praise Nutakor, Head of Communications and Partnerships of UNDP Ghana facilitating the training at Jomoro Municipal Assembly.

Ms. Sylvia Senu, Economic Analyst at UNDP Ghana briefing participants at Sagnarigu Municipal on UNDP's integrated ecosystem support for MSMEs.

Participants at the training at Sagnarigu Municipal.

The training facilitators in a group photo with participants at Sagnarigu Business Resource Centre.

The Head and Deputy of the Kassena Nankana Business Advisory Centre in hands-on digital communications training.

The strategic communications training session with the Communications Team of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

Ketu South training participants.

Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal participants in a group photo with the UNDP team.