With a mission to boost productivity and sustainability among Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) programme has successfully completed another phase.
Supported by German Cooperation, 272 SMEs recently concluded the six-month training programme, culminating in a certification ceremony held in Accra. This initiative not only aims to elevate workplace efficiency and safety but also to foster resource-efficient and cleaner production practices, contributing significantly to economic development.
The SCORE programme, a global training initiative, combines practical classroom sessions with in-factory consulting to impart best practices in the manufacturing and service sectors.
By focusing on areas such as workplace organization, cooperation, and safety, SCORE empowers SMEs to improve their operational standards, ultimately leading to business growth and job creation.
Implemented by the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI), a sub-vented agency under the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR), the SCORE programme has been supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) funded the initiative as part of the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition.”
The journey began In 2021 when GIZ signed the first grant agreement with MDPI to train 60 SMEs using the SCORE methodology. Encouraged by the significant impact observed, a second grant agreement was signed in August 2022 to train an additional 74 SMEs.
The recently completed phase extended the programme to 272 more SMEs across new administrative regions, including Bono, Bono East, Northern, and Savannah Regions, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 400 SMEs.
At the certification ceremony, Mr. John Duti, Team Leader from GIZ, underscored the importance of small improvements in driving substantial changes.
“Improving inventory management, optimizing water consumption, neatly organizing the workplace, ensuring the consistent use of protective equipment, and listening to customer feedback and co-worker concerns – all these little things add up to big changes, and this is what SCORE seeks to achieve.”
Mr. John Duti
Impact of the Newly Trained Enterprises
Ms. Bernice Adjei, Director General of MDPI, expressed her optimism regarding the impact of the newly trained enterprises on the Ghanaian economy.
Ms. Bernice Adjei noted that the application of international standards and best practices would lead to the growth and sustainability of these enterprises, thereby boosting the overall economic landscape.
The certification ceremony was graced by representatives from various key institutions, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Ministry of Trade and Industries, the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Trade Unions, SCORE Implementing Partners (IPs), and selected enterprises. Their presence highlighted the collaborative effort and shared commitment to enhancing SME competitiveness in Ghana.
The SCORE programme’s success story is a testament to the transformative power of targeted training and international cooperation. By equipping SMEs with the necessary tools and knowledge to adopt efficient and sustainable practices, the programme not only enhances the competitiveness of individual enterprises but also contributes to broader economic development goals.
The continuation and expansion of such initiatives will be crucial in fostering a resilient and dynamic SME sector in Ghana, capable of driving long-term growth and job creation.
