Africa-Press – Ghana. The Small and Medium Enterprises Ghana Awards (SMEGA) has returned after a hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, promising a bigger, more impactful edition aimed at accelerating the growth of Ghanaian small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking at the relaunch, Mr Kwesi Ofori, Executive Director of SMEGA, said the initiative, first introduced in 2013 was designed to identify, recognize, and reward Ghana’s most outstanding entrepreneurs.
The goal, he said, was to motivate them to grow their businesses, create jobs, and drive innovation within the SME sector.
“Our motivation has always been to identify the best-performing entrepreneurs and reward them so they can impact more lives, this year’s edition is special because winners will not only gain recognition but also receive tangible support to expand and innovate,” Mr Ofori said.
According to him, the 2025 edition comes with several unique opportunities for participating businesses. Ten of the top winners will be fully sponsored to travel to India for a business mission, where they will explore new market opportunities and investment partnerships.
“Next year, we will also send them for a month-long training session in India, fully funded, beyond that, we’re providing funding and expert mentorship for two years to help these businesses grow sustainably and contribute to the national economy,” Mr Ofori revealed.
Mr Ofori emphasized that eligibility for the SMEGA Awards required businesses to be formally registered in Ghana, have at least three years of audited financial statements, and be willing to undergo field assessments and jury interviews.
He disclosed that over 450 businesses applied for this year’s edition, but only those that met the rigorous selection criteria advanced to the final stage.
“Recognition alone builds credibility and trust,” Ofori said. “Businesses that win often attract new investors and partners because the award shows they are credible and compliant.”
He, however, acknowledged that many SMEs continued to face structural challenges, such as limited access to finance and regulatory burdens. Ofori urged entrepreneurs to focus on improving internal systems, keeping proper records, and maintaining compliance with tax and reporting standards.
“It’s not entirely the fault of government,” he said. “SMEs must also build credibility through proper documentation and accountability. That’s what attracts partners and investors.”
Mr Ofori also called on government to consider policy incentives, such as wage support or tax relief for businesses that hire young graduates or national service personnel, as part of efforts to boost employment and innovation.
“If I take on a national service person and want to retain them, there should be an incentive, that’s one of the policy directions we think can make a big difference, he said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting SMEGA and empowering Ghanaian entrepreneurs.
“This is not just about awards, It’s about propelling businesses forward. Winners get access to loans through Fidelity Bank, services from MTN, and international exposure through the Indian High Commission’s support,” Mrs Mensah-Poku said.
She explained that the selection process was strictly merit-based, with independent juries conducting site visits and interviews to verify business authenticity.
“We had 500 nominations, but only 23 awards,” she noted. “It’s a rigorous process that looks at everything from registration and tax compliance to packaging, digitization, and employment capacity.”
Mrs Mensah-Poku added that MTN’s role extends beyond sponsorship, each winning SME will receive a 12-month mentorship and training program in collaboration with Nova Business School and other partners.
“Every nominee and winner will go through a structured one-year growth journey, our aim is to ensure that no business is left behind as we drive financial and digital inclusion across Ghana,” she said.
The return of the SMEGA Awards, she said, signals renewed momentum for Ghana’s SME ecosystem, with stakeholders uniting to build stronger, more resilient local enterprises.
“After a long break, we’re proud to see SMEGA back, bigger, better, and more purposeful,” Mrs Mensah-Poku said.
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