Successful Completion of SME Training for Cocoa and Horticulture Sectors in Ghana

The final module of a five-part training program aimed at upgrading business competencies among SME entrepreneurs in Ghana's cocoa and horticultural industries has been successfully completed. The training, organized by the Maastricht School of Management (MSM), the Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council (GNBCC), the Cocoa Value Addition Artisans Association of Ghana (COVAAAGH) and the Africa Trade Academy (ATA), was designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the African markets and beyond.

The final module, titled Access to Finance, took place from August 13th to 16th, 2024. This module addressed one of the most pressing issues faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural sector—access to finance. The training offered participants a comprehensive guide on securing funds to support and scale their businesses. Topics covered included identifying funding sources, preparing necessary documentation, and exploring opportunities for subsidized financing, particularly for women entrepreneurs in the sector. Practical case studies and hands-on exercises helped participants gain deeper insights into financing strategies tailored to the horticulture and cocoa value chains.

Over the course of the five-week program, spread across several months, participants attended four other essential modules focusing on key areas for business growth and international competitiveness:

• Adding value in Horticulture and Cocoa: The focus of this module was on optimizing value chains through innovation and technology. Participants were encouraged to embrace processing techniques that add value to raw materials, ensuring their products could compete in the export market and fulfill international demand.
• Agribusiness Marketing in Local and Global Contexts: Participants gained a deep understanding of how to position their products for export markets. This module emphasized the importance of value addition in marketing strategies, highlighting the benefits of branding, packaging, and certification in penetrating both local and global markets.
• Upgrading Businesses Towards International Standards: To export successfully, SMEs need to meet international standards. This module guided participants in achieving certifications and adhering to international norms, which are essential for accessing higher-value markets across Africa and globally.
• Equipping Ghanaian SMEs in Horticulture and Cocoa for African Markets: This module introduced participants to the expanding opportunities created by the AfCFTA. It helped SMEs identify strategies to leverage these opportunities and equip their businesses for export, with a focus on value addition and market entry strategies for both the horticultural and cocoa sectors.

The training program has empowered participants with crucial knowledge and skills to elevate their businesses and seize emerging opportunities in the cocoa and horticultural sectors. They were guided by experienced facilitators who provided insights from banking, business advisory, and entrepreneurship.

The program concluded with a ceremony in which all participants were awarded certificates, marking their successful completion of the training. These SME entrepreneurs are now well-positioned to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the cocoa and horticultural industries in Ghana by exporting high-quality, value-added products across the African continent and Europe.

With these newfound competencies, Ghanaian SMEs are better positioned to compete effectively in both local and international markets, contributing to the sustainable growth of the agriculture sector in Ghana.

Photos: GNBCC

Orange Knowledge Programme
This Tailor-Made-Training is part of the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) which is funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Nuffic. For more information click here.

MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies

This project is part of MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies. The department is an expert centre on local economic development in emerging and developing markets.​ We capacitate managers and professionals from government, private sector, NGOs, and post-secondary education in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. We offer consultancy and customized training programs, and we manage complex projects in key sectors, e.g. water, agriculture and health. For more information click here.

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