This came to light when Mr John Kumah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), met and interacted with the Association of Shoe Makers and Tailors at the Kumasi Central Market.

In a statement from the office of the NEIP copied to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Kumah indicated that the NEIP paid a visit to the Kumasi Central Market to assess the state of business activities and educate the Association of Shoe Markers and Tailors on government initiatives to improve the socio-economic conditions for businesses to grow.

Mr John Kumah spoke about the various packages under the NEIP and how they could become beneficiaries of funding, market access and business advisory services from Government. "The vision of the current Government is to spark a national culture of entrepreneurship, where citizens are starting and running their own business. We know there are challenges to actualizing this vision, that is why we have NEIP to support you and provide you with the needed ecosystem not to only start your enterprises but also sustain them," he said.

He noted that the influx of foreigners in the retail business posed a threat to the progress of their businesses.  Mr Kumah used the opportunity to explain government's plan for growing indigenous business and assured them of his outfit's readiness to support their enterprises.