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GEXIM supports SMEs through capacity building programme
The Ghana EXIM Bank (GEXIM), has announced a support package for Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) through its capacity programme.
This falls under the SME Growth and Opportunity programme launched by the Ministry of Finance which offers a comprehensive package of financial and technical support, including capacity-building sessions, to address the critical funding constraints faced by SMEs.
Speaking at the Ghana EXIM Bank Stakeholder Session with SMEs on Thursday September 26, at the Trade Fair House in Accra, Rosemary Beryl Archer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Exim Bank, said, the government’s 10 points industrialization agenda has SME development at heart.
She said, on Tuesday July 16, 2024, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo launched the SME Growth and Opportunities Programme in Accra.
According to her, it is a ground-breaking initiative which seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and build their capacity to make them sustainable and compete favourably in the international marketplace. The Bank is a strategic partner.
She further noted that “Today, we want to share with you our plan for Micro and SMEs on our special initiative under the SME GO Programme to strategically position your businesses and take you to the next level. We want to share ideas and identify ways of supporting your businesses to grow. We are here for you, so please feel free to engage with us.”
She added that they want to develop them to grow into the international market, adding that if they contribute 70 percent of the GDP, then there is the need for them to be supported.
According to her, the mandate of the Bank is to support and develop trade between Ghana and other countries, overseas investments by Ghanaian Companies and eliminate critical market failures in the Ghanaian economy thereby making Ghana competitive in the global marketplace.
The deputy CEO of GEXIM Bank noted that financing from the Ghana EXIM Bank aims at key benchmarks derived from development instead of commercial objectives. These are employment creation, value addition through production, efficiency and foreign exchange revenue potential.
The Head of SME Banking at GEXIM, Bright Darko said as part of the programme some funds have been set aside under Capacity Building for some micro and small businesses who will need grants to support their operations.
He said it was why they met those businesses to try and explain to them what the programme was all about as well as how they could apply in line with the requirements.
He said as a department, they have seen access to finance as the main challenge of the SMEs because the commercial banks shy away from them.
Against this backdrop, Mr.Darko said, this facility has specially been put together to assist SMEs struggling to get funding from the commercial banks, adding that they are critical to the economy.
Additionally, he said, they would put in place monitoring systems to ensure that the grants are put to good use.
He also announced that the bank is on course of setting up a processing facility by June, 2025
After the meeting an application form was made available for them to start applying.
The application will run from now till the end of October, and within a period of 30 days of application, one is expected to get the fund.
The participants expressed appreciation to the government and the bank for coming to their aid to enhance their capacity.
They promised to put the support to good use,
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
In a world where fathers are increasingly consumed by work and the pursuit of financial security, Bishop Michael Quartey, the Regional Overseer of the Perez Chapel International, has urged fathers to prioritise spending quality time with their children.
This, he said makes them develop trust, love and sense of security in building confident responsible adults.
Bishop Michael Quartey made this known in an interview with The Spectator ahead of the Father’s Day celebration tomorrow.
He noted that while many fathers are providing the financial needs of their families, children also require emotional support, guidance and quality time from their fathers.
“A lot of children are engaged in a lot of negative things just because of the absence of their fathers and it is about time we sit up.”
Bishop Quartey explained that fatherhood goes beyond meeting financial obligations and involves being physically and emotionally present in the lives of their children.
“Fathers serve as role models whose actions and decisions often influence the values and attitudes of their children” he disclosed.
He also elaborated that regular communication, participation in school activities and involvement in children’s daily life could significantly strengthen family bonds and contribute to the overall well –being of the children.
He added that though the modern day fathers are doing so well, we need to continue to change the narrative by putting in extra effort in the upbringing of our children.
“Being a father is a great joy and it is very necessary for fathers to be celebrated because they go through a lot,” he indicated.
Mr Quartey used the opportunity to encourage all fathers to continue doing their best and pray for their children as well.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
A new cultural, trade, and diplomatic platform celebrating Ghana-Norway ties was launched on Saturday, June 13, at Palms by Eagles Hotel, Accra.
Dubbed the ‘Akwaaba Nsuo & Velkommen Fjord Durbar 2026’, the event draws on the symbolism of Ghana’s rivers, -Nsuo, and Norway’s fjords to highlight water as a shared cultural, economic, and environmental identity.
The three-day event is scheduled for July 31 – August 2, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. Activities will include a trade exhibition, durbar of chiefs, and B2B networking sessions.
Speaking at the launch, CEO of the Durbar, Kofi Mulan, said Ghana’s rivers like the Volta, Pra, and Ankobra have long sustained livelihoods through fishing, transport, and spirituality.
“Similarly, Norway’s fjords represent the cornerstone of its maritime heritage, global leadership in ocean industries, and environmental stewardship,” Mr Mulan added.
“These parallel relationships with water form the philosophical and thematic spine of the entire event. The Akwaaba Nsuo & Velkommen Fjord Durbar 2026 is therefore framed as a convergence of heritage and innovation,” he said.
Organisers say participants will benefit from Global visibility and cultural diplomacy in Europe, stronger ties with Norway, and increased market access for exports like fashion, crafts, agribusiness, and processed goods under AfCFTA frameworks on the Ghana side.
On the Norway side, they noted access to Norwegian expertise in maritime technology, aquaculture, and renewable energy, plus opportunities in fisheries, offshore energy, and sustainability projects.
The Durbar is positioned as a high-level exchange platform to deepen trade and diplomatic relations between Ghana and Norway.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
