News
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
News
Sammy Awuku urges Fourth Estate to follow GJA Code of Ethics when holding duty bearers accountable
The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has called on the Fourth Estate to strictly adhere to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Code of Ethics when reporting on public officials and state institutions.
In a statement issued on 25 September 2025, Mr Awuku said a recent publication by the Fourth Estate about the National Lottery Authority’s (NLA) Good Causes Foundation misrepresented facts about projects undertaken during his time as Director-General.
According to him, the article created the impression that funds meant for the underprivileged were diverted to “glamorous events and questionable enterprises” but ignored many life-saving projects, donations and community interventions funded by the Foundation.
He reminded journalists that Article 1 of the GJA Code of Ethics obliges them to provide factual, balanced and accurate information to the public and to cross-check their facts before publication. “For journalists of the Fourth Estate’s calibre who pride themselves in working in the public interest, it is only appropriate that their publications are factual and not misleading,” he stated.
Mr Awuku explained that the NLA Good Causes Foundation was established in October 2021 to rebrand the Authority’s corporate social responsibility arm and focus on health, education, youth and sports development, and arts and culture.
He said that during his tenure the Foundation built 20-seater toilet facilities with mechanised boreholes in several communities, funded surgery for a baby with spinal bifida, donated incubators and medical supplies to hospitals, constructed a smart laboratory for the Borstal Institute, provided scholarships to needy students, and supported football clubs and cultural festivals, among other projects.
Mr Awuku added that the Foundation was funded through the Caritas Lottery Platform, which generated about GHS11 million between October 2021 and December 2024 after its relaunch.
He dismissed claims that the Authority spent heavily on awards and luxury events, explaining that sponsorships accounted for only about five per cent of expenditure and were intended to attract corporate stakeholders and raise revenue. He also said many award nominations were turned down and that any awards received were not “bought” but recognised the work of his management and staff.
The MP expressed concern about the publication of the names of NLA staff and other beneficiaries, including patients, saying this violated their privacy.
Mr Awuku concluded that he served with integrity and helped turn the NLA’s losses into profits and urged the Fourth Estate and other media houses to present a full and balanced picture when holding duty bearers accountable.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Businessman Richard A. Jakpa has petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
He is accusing former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame of trying to get him to give false evidence in court.
In his petition dated July 23, 2025, Mr. Jakpa said he is the third accused person in an ongoing trial involving former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
According to Mr. Jakpa, Mr. Dame contacted him after the prosecution closed its case and allegedly urged him to cooperate and testify in a way that would implicate Dr. Forson.
He further alleged that on March 26, 2024, Mr. Dame called him and suggested how he should answer questions about Letters of Credit during cross-examination, and even advised him to seek a false medical excuse to delay proceedings.
This, Mr. Jakpa mentioned, he refused to do so.
The businessman is asking the CID to investigate what he describes as an attempt to fabricate evidence and undermine the court process.
The former Attorney-General has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
