ILO trains implementing partners of SCORE programme on fundraising

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, commenced a two-day training workshop for implementing partners of its Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) programme to enhance capacity especially in the area of fundraising.

Last week, the ILO’s representatives in Ghana organised a Conference in Accra where it was confirmed that full implementing rights of the SCORE programme will be handed over to the Management, Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) at the end of the year when the programme enters its fourth phase.

Today on the opening day of a training workshop at the Fiesta Royale Hotel, ILO Ghana has announced that the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Switzerland, and Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), Norway have also decided to pull out their funding at the end of the third phase.

As a result, the local implementing partners of the SCORE programme will need to source funding to keep the programme running while ensuring that it is extended to other parts of the country as well.

In a bid to help the implementing partners before the handover of SCORE to MDPI at the end of the year, the two-day training workshop has been organised this week to build the capacity of the IPs to enhance their capacities to build partnerships and excel in the area of fundraising.

Speaking at the training workshop, Mr. Samuel Onoma Asiedu who is the National Project Coordinator for the SCORE Programme in Ghana explained that the goal is to discuss all the relevant strategies that can be adopted to fund training so that the exit of the ILO and the funders do not mark the end of the SCORE Programme in Ghana.

He said now more than ever in the era of Covid-19, businesses will need SCORE to be in operation to ensure growth rather than loss of jobs and collapse of enterprises that will in the long run affect the economy of the country.

Mr. Samuel Onoma Asiedu while advocating for businesses to adopt new ways to operate in the emerging world, called on all implementing partners to network and build that link that will help them stand the test of time.

Mr. Samuel Asiedu

Speaking on behalf of the implementing partners, MDPI Director-General Mr. Kweku Odame Takyi called on all other partners to join hands to keep the SCORE programme running.

According to him, the two-day training workshop is of utmost importance and all must work hard to ensure it becomes beneficial.

“What we are here to do today Colleague is very critical to the survival of the Programme and that is getting the necessary funding for SCORE Programme.

“I believe that at the end of your two days sessions we will come up with a workable and practical funding arrangement so that we cannot only sustain but improve the impact of SCORE on the economy of Ghana,” the MDPI Director-General shared.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Kweku Odame Takyi assured the ILO that they are excited ahead of the handing over and are even in talks with the government to solicit some financial support as well.

Mr. Kweku Odame Takyi

Leading the training for the implementing partners, Head of Research and Consultancy at the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, Professor Samuel Lartey advocated for businesses to look at maximizing profits and cutting losses before any other thing.

He said a good running enterprise stands a better chance of receiving support from donors and any other institutions.

“It’s all about seeking funding and nobody will want to throw his money away just like that,” he said while cautioning businesses to put their house in order.

Professor Samuel Lartey insists that once that is done, there are several donor agencies out there who will be ready to offer to fund for all their human capacity interest.

“Training has become very necessary. If the partners here can really convince the donors that we are going to turn Human resource out there into human capital, they are not going to be beggars on the street but they are coming to add value to the businesses of our institutions they will get the needed support,” the financial expert noted.

The implementing partners benefiting from the training include the MDPI, Sekondi Takoradi Chamber of Commerce, Hotel Coaching Consult, SCORE Solutions Ghana, and Federation Of Professional Trade Associations.

About the ILO SCORE programme:

Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) is an ILO global programme that seeks to improve productivity and working conditions in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The key intervention of the global programme is a training intervention which combines practical classroom sessions with in-factory consulting. SCORE training demonstrates the best international practices in the manufacturing and service sectors and helps SMEs to participate in global supply chains. This ultimately leads to the growth of enterprises, job creation, and economic development.