Ghana's leading tele-communication network, MTN, has offered financial assistance to some 50 entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Central Region in its second edition of the SME Support Programme.

The programme initiated through the MTN Ghana Foundation in partnership with Innohub, seeks to extend financial relief to selected women-led, youths and differently abled-led businesses in the country like dressmakers, persons in animal and crop farming, leader work operators, fishmongers, agro-food producers, among others.

The support programme commenced last year with selected entrepreneurs from the Ashanti, Western, and Greater Accra Regions benefiting from a seed capital of GH¢1 million. 

However, following how impactful the programme has so far been to its previous beneficiaries, MTN Ghana Foundation has thought it wise and increased the programme's seed capital to GH¢2 million in its second edition this year.

To wit, 150 entrepreneurs were selected out of 270 business owners from the Central, Eastern, and Volta Regions who are slated to benefit from the aforementioned seed capital, as 50 entrepreneurs in the Central Region emerges the first to receive of the benefit for this year.

Speaking in an interview to the media, Nelson Amo, the Executive Director for Innohub highlighted the criteria on which the 50 entrepreneurs in the Central Region were selected.

He revealed that the criteria sorted for small and medium-sized enterprises who are normally disadvantaged on grounds of access to finance (loans), yet posses the potential to expand with the necessary assistance and support, coupled with the kind of business the entrepreneur does to generate money.

Ms. Adwoa Wiafe, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer for MTN-Ghana, outlined the motive behind MTN's support to SMEs in the country and unveiled the tele-communication network's willingness to monitor how beneficiaries of the support programme efficiently uses the money benefited to revamp their businesses.

She advised benefited entrepreneurs of the region to be diligent in the usage of the money given to them by spending adequately towards the growth and success of their businesses.

Some entrepreneurs whose SMEs were fortune to have benefited of the support programme, appreciated MTN Ghana Foundation for coming to their aid when they needed help the most and assured to use the money given them generously to suit the objective their businesses were supported.

Sompaonline.com/Eric Annan