NINETY-EIGHT small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have graduated from the MTN-NOVA Business School Mini Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme, aimed at strengthening their financial management and digitalisation capabilities.
The initiative, organised in collaboration with MTN Ghana and NOVA Business School Africa, formed part of the MTN SME Accelerator programme, designed to address operational and management gaps identified among businesses during earlier SME clinics.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Accra on Friday, the Senior Manager for SME Sales, Partnership and Business Broadband, Mr Mohamed Abubakar Sadiq, said the programme was intended to equip entrepreneurs with the strategic skills needed to move their businesses from survival to sustainable growth.
He said the training covered business practices, proper bookkeeping and the adoption of digital technologies to improve business operations.
Mr Sadiq explained that the Mini MBA programme was developed following six SME clinics that identified areas where participating businesses required additional support.
He said the 13-week programme was subsequently introduced to provide intensive capacity-building opportunities for selected entrepreneurs whose businesses needed further assistance.
The Senior Manager said the initiative demonstrated MTN Ghana’s commitment to supporting SMEs through financial, digital and technological interventions to enhance their competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
He disclosed that the 98 graduates were organised into three cohorts comprising male entrepreneurs, female entrepreneurs and a mixed group.
Mr Sadiq added that the programme would continue beyond graduation, with organisers monitoring participants to ensure they applied the knowledge and skills acquired to their businesses.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of NOVA Business School Africa, Professor Mathew Tsamenyi, said private enterprises played a critical role in Ghana’s economic development.
He pledged the school’s continued support for the graduates and urged them to apply the knowledge, skills and networks acquired to transform their businesses.
Prof. Tsamenyi said the graduation marked the beginning of a lasting relationship, with the school committed to building an alumni community to support the growth and development of participating businesses.
He also commended MTN Ghana for partnering with the school to deliver the programme, noting that the collaboration had helped align the entrepreneurs’ projects with the company’s strategy.
The Founder of SinceShea and programme beneficiary, Nana Abenaa Oforiwa Kwao-Adotey, said the training had improved her understanding of digital marketing, financial management and human resource development.
She said the programme had exposed gaps in her business operations, particularly in record-keeping, the use of digital tools and product branding, which she was addressing to improve performance.
She added that although she previously believed her business was progressing well, she had not achieved the expected results in sales and other performance indicators.
BY PRINCE ADDO FRIMPONG
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