The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in partnership with the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI), a sub-vented agency under the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR), has launched the second phase of the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) for SMEs training programme.
The SCORE programme is supported by Invest for Jobs, the brand of the Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation, an initiative of the BMZ implemented by GIZ and other partners.
SCORE is an International Labour Organization (ILO) global programme seeking to improve productivity and working conditions in SMEs with practical classroom sessions and in-factory consulting.
It demonstrates best international practices in the manufacturing and service sectors and helps SMEs participate in global supply chains.
In 2021, Invest for Jobs through GIZ Ghana signed a Grant agreement with the MDPI to train 90 small and medium-sized enterprises in Greater Accra, Central and Western regions with the objective of boosting their resource efficiency, productivity as well as their job-creation capabilities.
In all, 60 growth-oriented SMEs with high job-creation potential in different sectors, including manufacturing, hotel and tourism industries in Ghana, received the SCORE training. In addition to the 60 SMEs, a total of 30 micro-enterprises received training in Business Continuity and Recovery. Following a successful implementation, another grant has been awarded to the MDPI to upscale the project into two new regions; Ashanti and Eastern.
Speaking at the programme launch and kick-off workshop, Team Leader of Invest for Jobs, Mr. John Duti, said the Invest for Jobs programme is pleased to extend another round of support to more SMEs for the SCORE training based on the successful implementation of the first phase, which improved the working conditions of over 400 employees.
According to Mr. Duti, there is a clear paradigm shift towards environmental sustainability and the green agenda, which is heavily embedded in the core message of the SCORE programme in improving productivity through resource efficiency and cleaner production.
“It is important that Ghanaian SMEs, who form the backbone of our economy, constituting 85% of businesses and contributing about 70% of Ghana’s gross domestic product, are given the necessary capacity building in these areas to boost their productivity and help them create decent jobs. This is the ultimate goal of Invest for Jobs,” stated Mr. Duti.
With the support of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Switzerland and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), SCORE was first introduced in Ghana in 2011.
Under this second phase, 72 growth-oriented SMEs in the manufacturing and hospitality sectors from the five regions will be supported with the training and coaching.
Priority will be given to companies in waste management and recycling; women-led or owned businesses; and others adapting green and eco-friendly business practices.
Also, 10 new SCORE experts will be trained in the new regions to aid in the capacity building of the SMEs.
Interested SMEs that satisfy these conditions can download application forms at www.mdpi.gov.gh and submit via score@mdpi.gov.gh
About the Management Development and Productivity Institute
MDPI is a subvented Agency under the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR).
The Institute was established on 26th October 1967 under a joint Ghana Government, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) project.
The MDPI replaced its forerunner, the National Productivity Centre (NPC) which had been established in June 1964.
The Institute was formally handed over to the government by UNDP and ILO in 1977 when the joint sponsorship ended.
MDPI promotee increased productivity in both public and private organizations and contributes to the sustainable growth of the economy.
It achieves this through productivity improvement activities, management development programs and dissemination of information through research and publications.
The MDPI’s clients are drawn from Ghana and the West African sub-region including The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Guinea. For more information, please visit www.mdpi.gov.gh
About Invest for Jobs GIZ has been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development to implement the Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation under the Invest for Jobs brand in Ghana.
The objective is to promote job-creating growth of enterprises in Ghana and other African countries.
To this end, interventions are being implemented to help build a more enabling environment for investment by European enterprises in Ghana, increase the capacities of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana and improve the business ecosystem for the automotive industry and other sectors.
For more information please visit: www.invest-for-jobs.com.
Please get in touch: info@invest-for-jobs.com
About GIZ
GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment, and peace and security.
We work with businesses, civil society actors, and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is our main commissioning party. Currently, GIZ promotes sustainable development in Ghana via about 50 programmes and projects. Our activities currently cover three priority areas: Energy and Climate just transition, Sustainable Economic Development, Training and Employment, and Peaceful and Inclusive Societies, which looks at good governance.
For more information, please visit www.giz.de/ghana.
