Tigo calls for support for SMEs

Accra, Jan. 17, GNA - Mr Stephen Essien, the Chief Business Officer of Tigo Business, has called for the creation of an enabling environment for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to thrive and contribute to national development.

Mr Essien made the call at the Tigo sponsored 68th Barcamp in Accra when he spoke to some startup businesses and a section of tertiary students on the topic; "Empowering Startups and SMEs for National Development'.

He said apart from government ensuring conducive environment for businesses to thrive, big corporate institutions including multi-nationals could do more to help small businesses to grow to employ more Ghanaians.

Using Tigo as an example, he spoke about how the company supports startups through several comprehensive communication solutions that help to increase market size, staff productivity and widen payment options among other things.

Touching on the role young startup owners can play in securing funding to scale up their businesses, Mr Essien admonished them to fully understand the terrain and develop a sustainable business plan.

Beryl Hammond-Appiah, the Human Resource Director of Tigo, advised the students to set targets for their businesses and strategise to achieve those targets as this would improve productivity.

She said it was important to have good professional values that included integrity, reliability and accountability.

'Your professional values are key to your productivity because they will ultimately define your business and differentiate you from the other competitors' she said.

Barcamp is organised by the GhanaThink Foundation with support from Tigo Ghana. Over the years it had sought to build a network of young change-makers and entrepreneurs through a series of forums held across the country.

GNA