First SME Confab Kicks Off

The first Small and Medium-Scale Enterprise (SME) conference in Ghana is scheduled to take place in Accra from February 29, 2012 to March 1, 2012.

Organised by Hopeline Institute, a non-governmental organisation in Ghana, the conference is aimed at bringing together business owners for networking and business development opportunities and to inspire business people to conduct their business in radical and strategic ways to bring about contagious and positive transformation across Ghana and beyond.

The conference, which is dedicated solely to the growth of SMEs, is also expected to offer an opportunity to SMEs across four major sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, retail and services to support each other’s efforts through the sharing of best practices and lessons learned.

A number of renowned business executives and entrepreneurs have been assembled to make various presentations at the conference, which is on the theme: ‘Marketplace Revolution: Ghana’s Turn.’

Among the speakers at the conference is the Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministries, Mr Glenn Armstrong, Executive Director, BonVi, Mr Blasko Ristic, Managing Director, BonVi and Rev. Philip Tutu, Country Director, ICM Ghana.

Business persons will also have a choice of workshops that relate to their specific sector, needs or interests. The workshop topics to be addressed include strategic planning, insurance, marketing with meaning, how to create loyal customers and employees, boundaries, access to capital, farming God’s way and value chain.

It is expected that about 200 business executives will attend the conference.

Hopeline Institute’s aim is for SMEs to reclaim the marketplace, develop capacity for job creation, improve the economy and thus alleviate poverty.