CalBank PLC has hosted a high-impact Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) seminar in Accra on Saturday which brought together entrepreneurs, financial experts, and business leaders to explore strategies for sustainable growth and access to smart financing.
The event, held in partnership with Vendor Vault, underscored the bank’s commitment to supporting MSMEs across Ghana.
Vendor Vault is an online community page for small businesses and entrepreneurs to spotlight their services and find event promotion.
Under the theme “Growth Strategies: Building the Right Business Structures and Smart Finance Solutions,” the seminar provided practical guidance on bookkeeping, tax compliance, sales systems, and customer experience management.
Speaking at the event, the head of Commercial Banking, Mr Michael Fredrick Adu Brafo, emphasised the importance of financial discipline and investment readiness, noting that poor record-keeping remains a key barrier to accessing loans.
According to him, poor financial records were one of the leading barriers to accessing loans and attracting investors.
He encouraged SMEs to adopt sound bookkeeping practices to unlock growth opportunities.
“There are legitimate ways to reduce your tax burden, including sector-based tax holidays and location-based incentives. Businesses must consult professionals to understand and benefit from these provisions,” he added.
Adding a tax perspective, Mr Adu Brafo urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of legitimate tax reliefs and exemptions available in Ghana by consulting qualified professionals.
Head of Consumer Banking at CalBank, Mr Stephen Essien, highlighted the need for SMEs to manage their entire sales pipeline effectively—from awareness to after-sales service—and to separate personal finances from business accounts to ensure consistent service delivery.
“Understanding your market and structuring your business are just as important as funding. No bank will finance a business that lacks direction or operational clarity,” he noted.
Speaking on behalf of Vendor Vault, the founder, Priscila Kwartemaa Andor, reiterated the platform’s mission to connect online vendors with customers while providing knowledge-based support to help them grow.
She announced that Vendor Vault’s next major marketplace event will take place on September 13, 2025 at the Polo Club, Airport, featuring discounted sales, product exhibitions, and giveaways.
Also, CalBank’s Head of Women’s Banking, Portia Amoah, shared the bank’s initiatives in empowering women-led businesses through concessionary loans, financial literacy programs, and mentorship opportunities, initiatives that align with Vendor Vault’s inclusive growth agenda.
She urged entrepreneurs, particularly women, to register for its business banking services to access both capital and advisory support.
The session also equipped business owners with the tools to formalise operations and attract investment.
BY RAYMOND APPIAH-AMPONSAH
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