Africa-Press – Ghana. Mr Ian Tabalor Okwei, the Chief Operating Officer of Big Joe Organic Waakye, an indigenous food and catering business in Tema, has stated that the successful implementation of fiscal measures in the 2026 budget requires continuous oversight.
Mr Okwei added that it also required effective collaboration between government agencies and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the addressing of persistent structural barriers such as infrastructure deficiencies and inconsistent policy enforcement.
He said this in an interview analysing the 2026 budget recently presented by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, to Parliament in relation to the operations of MSMEs.
According to him, the 2026 budget placed strong emphasis on promoting economic stability, job creation, and inclusive development across Ghana, adding that a core focus of the budget was the implementation of targeted measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), recognising their critical role in driving growth and employment.
Key among these initiatives are skill development programmes such as Adwumawura, which has been allocated GH¢170 million, and the National Apprenticeship Programme with a budget of GH¢690 million.
He said these programmes aimed to provide MSMEs with a well-trained and competent workforce, particularly in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, which are vital to businesses such as Big Joe Organic Waakye.
He further acknowledged that the budget prioritises improving MSMEs’ access to affordable finance, easing tax compliance requirements, and expanding technical and vocational training opportunities.
“By addressing these areas, the government seeks to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs, enabling them to contribute more effectively to economic diversification and job creation. These policy directions underscore a comprehensive approach to strengthening the SME ecosystem in Ghana.”
Mr Okwei, using his outfit as a case study, noted that its recognition at national and international levels highlights its importance as a thriving local business adapting to the challenges within Ghana’s economic environment, noting that this underscored the need for ongoing efforts to harmonise regulations, improve access to finance, and build capacity through skills development programmes.
He said, by fostering stronger partnerships and accountability mechanisms, the government could help maximise the positive impact of budgetary provisions, emphasising that the skills and training initiatives outlined in Ghana’s 2026 budget were designed to
significantly enhance labour productivity and operational capacity for MSMEs.
“Programmes such as Adwumawura and the National Apprenticeship Programme, which receive substantial funding, aim to equip businesses with a skilled workforce tailored to key sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing. These initiatives are expected to facilitate formal apprenticeship schemes that provide hands-on training, boosting both technical expertise and business management skills among SME employees.”
He added that the 2026 budget’s improved tax structure, including the removal of
burdensome levies, alongside increased social spending on education and health, create a more supportive environment for entrepreneurship.
He indicated that expanded access to finance, one-stop platforms for business registration and licensing, and the harmonisation of regulatory frameworks were additional measures expected to reduce bureaucratic barriers and increase SME competitiveness.
He noted that these policies could translate into improved scalability, sustainability, and the ability to capitalise on emerging market opportunities within Ghana’s evolving economic landscape.
Reflecting on the previous fiscal year, he observed that there was notable progress in addressing liquidity constraints faced by MSMEs through the introduction of targeted credit facilities and economic stimulus packages, which were aimed at providing the much-needed capital to MSMEs, helping them to navigate cash flow difficulties and invest in growth opportunities.
Mr Okwei indicated that despite these efforts, the overall impact was tempered by persistent challenges such as inconsistent policy implementation across regions and sectors, which created uncertainty for entrepreneurs.
Other challenges, he noted, were infrastructural inadequacies, including an unreliable power supply and limited access to modern logistics, which continued to pose significant barriers to MSMEs’ development.
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