SMEs Challenged To Take Advantage Of ILO SCORE As It Enters Phase 3

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and Startups have been thrown a challenge to get involved and take full advantage of an entrepreneurship training offered by the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE), flagship programme.

The project has entered its third phase following its official launch on Wednesday in Accra. The third phase of the SCORE would be running till 2021 in Ghana.

Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, who threw the challenge during the launch stated that the project identified SMEs as the key pillars which could avert this worrying trend of joblessness.

He indicated that the growth of SMEs is crucial to job creation and economic transformation, as it represents about 85 to 90 percent of businesses in the country.

The minister revealed that The SCORE, which began some six years ago, has greatly helped SMEs in the country to achieve their objectives.

Hon. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah said the project was introduced on the back of increasing unemployment across the globe with youth unemployment becoming a security issue for which Ghana is no exception.

"The SCORE goals ties in with the mandate of his ministry, which is to reenergize the productive sector to create more jobs. As a ministry with the mandate to ensure decent work outcomes, we are very committed to operationalizing our employment policies fully to address this situation for which decent work and economic growth is crucial,” he assured.

On his part, the ILO Area Office Director for English Speaking country, Dennis Zulu, said with the successful implementation of the first and second Phases since 2011, 48 potential trainers have been trained in the SCORE training methodology, with 24 certified and BDS services offered to over 180 enterprises, representing more than 12,800 employees in Ghana.

“Many of these SMEs have recorded major improvements in their operations, including up to 50% increased productivity, 35% reduction in waste, better workplace cooperation, 27% reduction in defects, 50% reduction in accidents, increased profits and the mainstreaming of gender,” he said.

The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Markus Niklaus Paul Duty, in his address said Ghana has been one of its biggest partners on the continent, adding that his country has supported the country's economic development.

The facilitation of competitiveness and diversification, which features in SCORE, is the second portfolio of Switzerland in its economic relations with Ghana, the envoy added.

He said that despite the success of first two phases of the programme in the country, there are still challenges that stakeholders need to dialogue on especially as the country prepares to move from aid to trade.

“I call on private sector organizations to engage and shape SCORE Ghana in a way that serves your needs and purposes so SCORE can become long term,” he said.

In a full packed presentation, Mr. Kwamina Amoasi-Andoh, National Programme Manager of ILO, SCORE Programme, walked participants and dignitaries through the various activities under the ILO SCORE.