Tamale was the scene of hope and celebration on Tuesday when 160 entrepreneurs from across northern Ghana were honoured under the MTN SME Support Program. The awardees, drawn from women-led enterprises, youth innovators and persons with disabilities, received financial support and technical training packages worth a total of GH¢2 million to expand their businesses and strengthen their resilience.
The event, held at the Radach Lodge and Conference Centre, was organised by Innohub in partnership with the MTN Ghana Foundation and Fidelity Bank Ghana. Now in its third year, the SME Support Program has evolved into one of the most impactful initiatives empowering grassroots businesses in Ghana, particularly those in underserved communities.
Addressing the gathering, Cynthia Mills, Economic Empowerment Advisor at the MTN Ghana Foundation, described the support program as a deliberate effort to transform the economic landscape of the north. She explained that 354 businesses were evaluated through pitch competitions and training sessions in Tamale and Bolgatanga before 160 were shortlisted for support. The beneficiaries, she said, represent key local industries including shea butter and peanut butter processing, poultry farming, fish mongering, fashion design, creative arts and agribusiness.
“These are enterprises with immense potential to change lives, create jobs and uplift communities,” she said, stressing that MTN’s investment was not just about supporting individuals but also about building stronger local economies. She praised the awardees for their creativity and resilience, adding that the GH¢2 million boost would enable them to scale up production, access new markets and create ripple effects in their communities.
Senior Manager at MTN Ghana, Robert Kuzoe, highlighted that the support package combined finance with knowledge. According to him, MTN recognised that funding alone was not enough to sustain businesses, which is why the program incorporated training on bookkeeping, financial planning and reinvestment strategies. He described the initiative as a reflection of MTN’s inclusive agenda, which deliberately gives opportunities to women, youth and differently abled entrepreneurs.
Chief of Staff at Innohub, Mame Serwaa Amoakohene, reinforced the significance of the partnership. She explained that many small businesses fall through the cracks, considered too small for conventional financing yet too ambitious to be ignored. Innohub, she said, was created to bridge this gap by nurturing such enterprises to become investor-ready. She emphasised that beyond money, the program equips beneficiaries with innovative strategies, leadership skills and succession planning to ensure long-term growth.
The true impact of the program was evident in the testimonies of beneficiaries. Niamatu Alhassan, founder of Angbanlife, a company producing nutritious Sobolo tea blends, shared her excitement about scaling up her business. She explained that the support package would allow her to meet rising customer demand and introduce new product lines infused with ginger and lemongrass.
Another awardee, Mohammed Tahiru, CEO of Suglo Shoe Enterprise and a member of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, described the recognition as a turning point in his life. He noted that the grant would enable him to improve the quality of his handmade shoes and challenge stereotypes about disability. “Disability is not inability. MTN has given us a chance to prove that we can create jobs and inspire others,” he said.
The ceremony also celebrated the resilience of entrepreneurs across the Northern, Upper East and Savannah Regions, many of whom had struggled to access credit or formal mentorship before now. For them, the GH¢2 million injection represents not only financial relief but also renewed confidence to dream bigger and contribute to national development.
As the entrepreneurs left the venue with awards in hand and renewed determination in their hearts, the message was clear: the MTN SME Support Program is more than a corporate initiative. It is a catalyst for inclusive growth, a platform for dreams to flourish, and a powerful reminder that when small businesses thrive, communities and economies are transformed.
