MTN Ghana celebrated outstanding entrepreneurs at the MTN Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Ghana Awards (SMEGA) 2026 in Accra. Queen Gaf Enterprise, a company focused on agro-processing and cosmetics, received the prestigious SME of the Year Award. This event marked the culmination of a year-long SME Accelerate Programme designed to support Ghana's vital small and medium business sector.
The awards recognised businesses for their innovation, resilience, and excellence across various economic sectors, including agribusiness and manufacturing. The SME Accelerate Programme provided crucial support through SME clinics, business pitching sessions, capacity building workshops, and mini-MBE initiatives. These activities aimed to strengthen the overall ecosystem for small and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana, fostering their growth and sustainability.
This recognition highlights the significant contribution of SMEs to Ghana's economic landscape. Small and medium-sized enterprises form approximately 90% of all businesses in Ghana, making them the backbone of the national economy. Their success directly impacts job creation, local production, and overall economic stability, driving national growth and development. Government and corporate initiatives like SMEGA are essential for nurturing this critical sector.
Mohammed Abubakari-Sidick, Senior Manager of MTN in charge of SME Sales and Partnership, explained the awards night was the result of rigorous assessment. He stated, "The recognition is a very great benefit, giving them a stage for us to project them to the whole world, that they have done well." Awardees also received yellow bees and plaques as symbols of their achievement. Noah Tumfo, Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, affirmed the government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, noting, "Anything that motivates enterprises to do more, to create employment space, we are more than willing to do."
Margaret Ansei, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, emphasised the indispensable role of SMEs. She stated, "SMEs in Ghana form about 90 per cent of Ghanaian businesses. What it means is that they are the backbone of this economy. They must be encouraged, they must be helped, they must be promoted." She urged awardees to embrace the responsibilities that come with such recognition and strive for even greater impact. This highlights the collective effort required from both public and private sectors to support these businesses.
Fuseini Gafaratu, CEO of Queen Gaf Company, expressed her vision for future growth. She described the award as an impetus to do more, stating, "This business today that we call SME, I believe that in the future is going to be a big conglomerate." Shadrach Ansah, Managing Director of Ahodwo Farms, a cassava cultivation and processing company, noted the boost for rural farmers. He hoped the recognition would motivate workers and bring attention to rural enterprises. Professor Sanatu Mustapha Alidu, founder of Dinmbone Farm Gates Limited, a female-led seed company established in 2019, dedicated her award to perseverance and encouraged women in agribusiness.
The event also served as a platform for awardees to advocate for continued support from policymakers and financial institutions. Shadrach Ansah specifically called on government agencies to implement policies that boost the sector. He also urged financial institutions, particularly the Bank of Ghana, to prioritise funding for industrialisation efforts. This ongoing dialogue between businesses and regulators is crucial for addressing challenges and fostering a more supportive economic climate. The focus on digitalisation by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry also signals a strategic direction for SME expansion beyond Ghana's borders.
The emphasis on supporting SMEs through awards and capacity-building programmes reflects a broader national strategy to diversify the economy and create sustainable jobs. Continued investment in these businesses, both financially and through policy, will be vital for Ghana's long-term economic prosperity. The government's commitment to digitalisation for business growth further underscores the evolving needs of the SME sector. These efforts aim to ensure that Ghanaian businesses can compete effectively in both local and international markets, driving innovation and economic resilience.