Tamale witnessed a significant step toward inclusive economic development on Tuesday when 160 entrepreneurs were awarded financial and technical support worth GH¢2 million under the MTN SME Support Program. The initiative, implemented by Innohub in partnership with the MTN Ghana Foundation and Fidelity Bank Ghana, is now in its third year and continues to be a beacon of hope for small businesses in northern Ghana.
The awards ceremony, held at the Radach Lodge and Conference Centre, brought together women entrepreneurs, youth innovators and persons with disabilities, all of whom had demonstrated resilience and creativity in building their businesses. The event highlighted how collaboration between corporate institutions and enterprise development organisations is reshaping Ghana’s small and medium-scale enterprise (SME) landscape.
Speaking at the ceremony, Cynthia Mills, Economic Empowerment Advisor at the MTN Ghana Foundation, underscored the Foundation’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs as a way of building an inclusive and sustainable economy. She revealed that more than 350 enterprises from Tamale and Bolgatanga were assessed during pitch competitions and training sessions before 160 were shortlisted for support. The beneficiaries, she noted, operate in diverse fields such as shea butter and peanut butter processing, poultry farming, fish mongering, fashion design, agribusiness and the creative arts.
“These businesses are lifelines for families and communities,” Mills said. “Our role as a Foundation is to create opportunities for them to grow, not just for their own benefit but also for the communities they serve. The GH¢2 million support we are injecting this year is a statement of our belief in their potential to transform lives and drive local development.”
Robert Kuzoe, Senior Manager at MTN Ghana, explained that the program was designed with sustainability in mind. According to him, MTN deliberately partnered with Innohub because of its track record in providing technical assistance and business incubation services. “Financial support alone is not enough,” he said. “That is why we combine the funding with capacity building in areas like bookkeeping, reinvestment strategies and financial discipline. By doing this, we are ensuring that entrepreneurs have the skills to manage resources effectively and expand sustainably.”
Representing Innohub, Mame Serwaa Amoakohene, Chief of Staff, explained the organisation’s motivation for joining forces with MTN and Fidelity Bank. She noted that small and growing businesses often fall into a financing gap — too small to access conventional bank loans, yet too ambitious to remain informal. Innohub, she said, was created to bridge this gap by preparing such enterprises to be investor-ready. “This program is not just about writing cheques,” she explained. “It is about giving these entrepreneurs the tools, knowledge and confidence to build resilient businesses. We are helping them to think about innovation, succession planning and long-term growth.”
Fidelity Bank, as the financial partner, also pledged continued support for entrepreneurs across the regions. The bank emphasised the need for financial institutions to align with initiatives that create tangible community impact while building future clients who understand proper financial management.
The testimonies of beneficiaries highlighted the true impact of the partnership. Niamatu Alhassan, CEO of Angbanlife, said the support would help her expand her Sobolo tea business, introducing new flavours and reaching wider markets. Mohammed Tahiru, CEO of Suglo Shoe Enterprise and a member of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, described the grant as life-changing. He said the recognition from MTN and its partners had given him renewed determination to improve his handmade shoe business and prove that disability is not inability.
The Tamale ceremony was more than a celebration of entrepreneurship; it was also a showcase of how corporate partnerships can create sustainable change. By combining MTN Ghana Foundation’s commitment to social impact, Innohub’s technical expertise and Fidelity Bank’s financial support, the SME Support Program is transforming northern Ghana’s entrepreneurial landscape one business at a time.
As the 160 entrepreneurs left with fresh capital, new skills and renewed confidence, the message was clear: partnerships matter. When institutions work together with a shared vision, small businesses can thrive, communities can grow, and entire regions can move closer to economic independence.
