Author: Beyonce Diamond Kpogli
The Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI), with support from German Cooperation, has commenced the training of 109 Ghanaian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) programme.
The training aims to enhance SMEs’ productivity and resource efficiency, thereby creating jobs and improving working conditions for the participating enterprises.
Currently in its fourth phase, the programme continues to make a significant impact on the SME sector in Ghana.
Since its inception in 2021, GIZ Ghana, under the Invest for Jobs Programme, partnered with MDPI to launch the first phase of the SCORE training.
The second and third phases followed in 2022 and 2023, respectively, training a total of 436 SMEs. Due to the programme’s success and increasing demand from Ghanaian SMEs, the new phase has been introduced to expand its reach.
The fourth phase extends the programme to 109 additional SMEs, with 103 drawn from the previous implementing regions, including Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, Western, Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, Northern, and Savannah.
Additionally, six SMEs from the Volta Region have been selected, marking the region’s inclusion in the programme.
The SCORE global training programme facilitates improvements in workplace organization, cooperation, and safety while promoting resource-efficient and cleaner production.
It combines practical classroom sessions with in-factory consulting and demonstrates best international practices in the manufacturing and service sectors. This approach fosters enterprise growth, job creation, and economic development.
Eunice Agyepong, Head of Component, Invest for Jobs, GIZ Ghana, speaking at the official kick off ceremony of SCORE Phase IV, on behalf of Team Leader of Invest for Jobs, John Duti, emphasized the programme’s alignment with Ghana’s transition to a greener economy.
“As we embrace a green transformation of the economy, the SCORE programme equips SMEs with the tools to enhance resource efficiency, adopt cleaner production methods, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable Ghana,” she stated.
She further highlighted that “The SCORE Programme aligns perfectly with the broader objectives of the ‘Just Transition’, which aims to create decent employment while promoting social inclusion, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.”
She expressed optimism that the training would enable participating SMEs to boost productivity, generate decent employment opportunities, and enhance working conditions for their employees.
She underscored the programme’s emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
“We are happy to be part of this program because it embodies a philosophy of continuous improvement, which is critical for SMEs to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced business environment. The programme’s approach emphasizes resource efficiency, productivity, and cleaner production methods for SMEs.
It also promotes a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging SMEs to make small but significant changes to their operations in order to improve their competitiveness.
We believe that the SCORE programme has the potential to make a significant impact on the competitiveness of Ghanaian SMEs, and we are committed to supporting its implementation,” she stated.
Bernice Adjei, Director General of MDPI, reaffirmed the commitment of all partners to strengthening the SME sector and fostering economic growth.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the ILO, German Cooperation, and other stakeholders to make a profound impact on the lives of Ghanaians,” she said.
One of the programme’s beneficiaries, Gideon Kwasi Twum, General Manager of Baamimo Enterprise, commended the organizers for the training, noting its impact on his enterprise.
“The training has helped us to plan and arrange things in an orderly manner, which has resulted in increased productivity and improved revenue mobilization,” he remarked.
The kick off ceremony was attended by representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Ministry of Labour Employment and Jobs, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industries, the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Trade Unions, SCORE Implementing Partners (IPs), and selected enterprises.
The SCORE training programme is implemented by MDPI, a subvented agency under the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR), with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
It operates within the framework of the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” under the Invest for Jobs brand.
