News
Social enterprise initiative launched to boost SME operations
• Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations,
Mr Bright Wireko-Brobbey speaking at the launch
A social enterprise initiative aimed at accelerating the growth of small and medium enterprises in Ghana has been launched in Accra.
The project dubbed ‘I Am Investible’ (iAi) is one of the flagship initiatives by Samaritan Angels Limited (SAL).
It aims to accelerate the growth of local enterprises and create 20,000 jobs over the next three years as well as provide Ghanaian entrepreneurs, formal and informal start-ups with financial assistance, mentorship, and technical support.
According to SAL, 200 enterprises are expected to receive a share of a GH¢10 million (GH¢3 million a year) grant while 2,000 others would receive mentorship and technical support over the next three years.
Board Member of the Samaritan Angels Limited, Nana Yaw Amponsah, said the project would empower small and growing businesses to contribute to the economic development of Ghana by creating jobs.
He said the board had set the target for beneficiaries to employ at least one individual in their enterprises after receiving the support.
The Managing Consultant of iAi, Angelina Diyuoh Minski said SAL would support SMEs using its ABC Model, which signifies access to small grants of up to GH¢50,000 to enterprises, Business advisory services and Capacity development.
“We hope that the enterprises will be able to contribute to the economic development of Ghana by creating at least one job each,” Mrs Minski said.
“Samaritan Angels is here to support formal and informal businesses to be able to have funding to scale up their businesses.”
The Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, in an address read on his behalf by his Deputy, Bright Wireko Brobbey, said the iAi would enhance the competitiveness and growth of SMEs and support the government’s job creation agenda.
He was certain that with the holistic support provided under the project, SMEs would contribute more to the development of the country.
He said the government would continue to explore innovative ways to support private sector projects such as iAi.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of eTransact and Head of Mission, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, John Apea, assured that his outfit would support iAi to make its vision to resource SMEs a reality.
He urged the initial beneficiaries to display high levels of integrity to ensure that more businesses could benefit from the iAi.
Entrepreneurs in Ghana between the ages of 16 and 55 in any sector could visit the website to apply.
Applicants in any of Ghana’s 16 regions are to upload a two-minute video speaking about their business or prepare a 250-word pitch in addition to a GH¢150 processing fee at submission.
The pitches would be evaluated for funding and support by a four-person judging panel, comprising the CEO of GUBA, Dentaa Amoateng MBE; Angelina Diyuoh Minski; CEO, EMI Group Africa, Ekow Mensah; and CEO of Horseman, Tonyi Senayah.
By Spectator Reporter
A total of 294 girls missed out on the first phase of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination exercise in the Ayawaso West Municipality, following challenges with parental consent.
Out of the 997 girls targeted in the first round in October this year, only 703 received the vaccine, representing 70 per cent coverage.
Ms Patience Adoli Kporxah, a Public Health Nurse at the Roman Ridge Sub-Municipal Health Directorate, disclosed this in an interview with The Spectator, identifying parents’ refusal to grant consent as the major obstacle to achieving the vaccination target.
“One of our major challenges was the lack of consent from parents. A lot of parents did not give their consent for their wards to receive the vaccine,” she revealed.
She explained that the directorate had embarked on extensive public education and stakeholder engagements before the exercise to encourage parents to allow their daughters to receive the vaccine.
The interventions included media publicity, letters sent to schools to inform parents, engagements with parents during Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, and consultations with community leaders.
Churches, mosques and media houses within the municipality were also engaged to help spread information about the vaccination exercise.
Despite the challenges, Ms Kporxah said the directorate had adequate logistics to undertake the exercise, indicating that the major difficulty was securing parental approval rather than a shortage of resources.
She said the Directorate would intensify its engagement with parents, teachers and other stakeholders ahead of the next phase to improve acceptance and coverage.
Ms Kporxah also urged parents whose daughters missed the exercise to take advantage of the opportunity to get them vaccinated at any government health facility, since the HPV vaccine had now been incorporated into Ghana’s routine immunisation programme.
She expressed optimism about the second round of the exercise, scheduled for November and December, saying the directorate would sustain its engagement with schools and parents in order to ensure that more eligible girls received the vaccine.
The HPV vaccine protects against infection with certain types of Human Papillomavirus, which cause nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Health authorities continue to encourage vaccination as a key preventive measure against the disease.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As part of activities marking Customer Service Week, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has awarded 10 Special Load Tariff (SLT) customers in the Ashanti West Region.
On October 27-29, 2026, the Management of the Ashanti West Region visited these key partners to present them with prestigious plaques and branded ECG souvenirs.
The awards celebrated their valued partnership, consistent patronage, prompt bill payments, and enduring loyalty to the ECG brand.
The 10 companies included XY Plywood Ghana, World Cool Stone Quarry, Asawus Company Limited, Kumasi Cement Ghana Limited, Niwota Company, Lancaster Kumasi City Hotel, Guinness Ghana Limited, Twellium Ghana Company Limited, Kasapreko Company Limited PLC and China Mall Kumasi.
Beyond honouring the organisations, the outreach provided regional management with a valuable platform to interact directly with these strategic stakeholders, gain firsthand insight into their operations, and address their teething operational challenges.
Addressing the awardees, Mr George Amoah, General Manager for the Ashanti West Region, expressed gratitude for their contributions to ECG’s success.
He highlighted the inscription on the commemorative plaque: “The Management and Staff of Ashanti West Region present this prestigious award to your reputable company in recognition for your valued partnership, consistent excellence and loyalty to the company. Thank you for choosing ECG.”
Reiterating the theme of the week, Ing. Amoah emphasised that going “the extra mile” was more than a mantra—it is a core work ethic instilled across all staff members in the region.
“We want to keep the lights on to ensure your business is profitable so that you can continue to employ more people to give our youth a better future,” Mr Amoah stated.
He disclosed that ECG was undertaking numerous system improvement projects across the region to stabilise power supply, increase operational capacity, and attract prospective investors.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Mr Manikandan Krishnan, Head of Maintenance at Kasapreko Company Ltd PLC, expressed appreciation to ECG for the recognition and for supporting their business growth.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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