‘Ghana believes in its entrepreneurs’ — GEA CEO reaffirms commitment to MSMEs at 10th national MSME Day

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Margaret Ansei, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), describing them as the backbone of the nation’s economy and the driving force behind inclusive growth, innovation and job creation.

Delivering the welcome address at the 10th National MSME Day celebration under the theme “Elevating the Future Generation of Ghana’s MSMEs through Digital Empowerment and Innovation”, Ms Ansei declared that the annual observance is far more than a ceremonial occasion — describing it as “a moment of national reckoning” that challenges stakeholders to assess how effectively they are supporting the businesses that sustain Ghana’s economy.

A decade of evolution

Reflecting on a decade of celebrating MSMEs in Ghana, Ms Ansei noted that the milestone provides an opportunity not only to celebrate achievements but also to set more ambitious goals for the future.

“Ghana believes in its entrepreneurs. And we are resolved, without reservation, to the work ahead,” she stated.

She observed that the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has evolved significantly over the past decade through increased investment, stronger partnerships and improved policy support. However, she stressed that the changing global business environment requires Ghanaian enterprises to embrace digital transformation in order to remain competitive.

According to the GEA CEO, digitalisation is no longer an aspiration but a present reality reshaping commerce, finance and production, making it imperative for MSMEs to leverage technology to expand their reach and improve productivity.

MSME Digital Gateway launched

As part of this year’s celebration, Ms Ansei announced the launch of the MSME Digital Gateway, developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), with funding support from the European Union through the Joint SDG Fund.

The platform, accessible at www.msmegateway.com, is designed to provide entrepreneurs with access to market intelligence, business support services and digital connectivity to enhance their growth and competitiveness. It serves as a one-stop digital platform offering verified business, legal and regulatory information; guidance on business registration and compliance; financing and investment opportunities; business advisory services; digital and e-commerce learning resources; and a digital marketplace where MSMEs can showcase and sell their products through secure online transactions.

The platform complements GEA’s nationwide network of 16 Regional Offices and 228 Business Advisory Centres (BACs) and Business Resource Centres (BRCs) by extending business support through digital channels while improving coordination and service delivery. The initiative seeks to strengthen the resilience, competitiveness and digital capabilities of at least 25,000 Ghanaian MSMEs, with particular focus on women- and youth-owned businesses.

‘Not a generation waiting in the wings’

Speaking at the event, Ms Ansei emphasised that the future generation of entrepreneurs is already shaping Ghana’s economy today.

“We do not mean a generation waiting in the wings. We mean the young woman pitching her enterprise this afternoon,” she said, stressing the need to create an enabling environment for emerging entrepreneurs to thrive.

The economic backbone

Ms Ansei’s remarks underscore the critical importance of MSMEs to Ghana’s economic fabric. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, MSMEs account for approximately 92% of all businesses, contribute an estimated 70% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) , and provide around 85% of manufacturing employment. They are widely regarded as the engine of inclusive economic growth, supporting livelihoods across agriculture, manufacturing and services.

A gathering of stakeholders

The 10th National MSME Day brought together government officials, development partners, members of the diplomatic corps, entrepreneurs, financial institutions and key stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of Ghana’s MSME sector while exploring innovative strategies to accelerate enterprise growth through digital transformation and innovation.

The event reiterated the Ghana Enterprises Agency’s commitment to building a resilient, competitive and digitally empowered MSME sector capable of driving sustainable economic development and creating opportunities for generations to come.