The National President for the Association of Small Scale Industries (ASSI), Mr Saed Moomen has lauded the Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Policy to be implemented by government saying it will give the right direction for all SMEs in Ghana to work with and asked that the policy be implemented quickly to help their work.
He made these remarks at the association's first annual general meeting in ten years at the Ghana National Association of Teacher's (GNAT) Hall in Accra on the theme 'Ghana Beyond Aid: The Role of Micro and Small Enterprises' on 13th December, 2018.
In an interview, Mr Moomen, disclosed that the current rate of the Cedi is affecting their businesses and urged government to help stabilize it. He said that the classification of the Informal Sector should be taken off because they make up 80 per cent of the economy and work hard to help the country grow.
He, however, acknowledged government's efforts in supporting their work by providing a vehicle as part of the Rural Enterprise Program to enhance their work.
Mr Moomen said that it has been the vision of His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to ensure that the informal sector is well represented in the country.
He said that the President has done well for the sector and lauded his efforts. He added that the road maps set by government in assisting the association is a step in the right direction. He said that they have improved their relationship with various stakeholders over the years to strengthen their work. He noted that the regional officials of the association will soon receive motorbikes to enhance their work and commended BUSAC FUND for their partnership.
The Fund Manager for the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) FUND, Mr Nicholas Gebara, said that the Fund has supported ASSI with implementing a two year strategy since 2016 and also helped its members channel their concerns to government to improve their businesses with the right environment.
He said that the BUSAC FUND considers SMEs as the backbone of the economy. He added that they have also worked in collaboration with the Ministry Of Trade and Industry (MOTI) to develop the SME policy.
Speaking to the media, Mr Gebara said that there are challenges in the technical and vocational sector adding that it is relevant to support these areas with finance, capacity building and managerial skills. He said that the BUSAC FUND is having a lot of demand at the national level and is working in assistance with MOTI and the Ministry of Business Development to assist businesses improve with policies such as the SME Policy.
The association also launched a new app for members known as the ASSI Edwumaruwa Service.
Demonstrating the use of the app to members, Mr Joy Larnoh of Nano Solutions said that it is meant to identify artisans across the country, give the opportunity to artisans to do savings and get loans when needed as well as allow people to request for the services of artisans. It will also allow the association to keep track of already existing as well as new members and help management tailor decisions to suit the needs of their members.
The short code *920*33# is available on all networks and can be downloaded for free till 31st December 2018 and will attract an annual charge of GHC10.00 per year from 2019.