From Training to Scale: MTN Ghana Invests in PWD-Led SMEs in the Northern Region
MTN Ghana has deepened its commitment to economic inclusion and entrepreneurship development with a two-day capacity-building programme designed to empower Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) running small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Northern Region.
Organized in collaboration with enterprise development organization Innohub and co-funded by Fidelity Bank, the programme aimed to equip PWD entrepreneurs with essential business management, financial literacy, customer service, and digital skills to grow their businesses. The initiative also provided participants with access to key funding opportunities and market linkages, laying the groundwork for sustainable business expansion.
This effort forms part of MTN Ghana’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which focuses on driving digital inclusion, supporting SMEs, and empowering communities.
Supporting Inclusive Business Growth
Speaking at the training, Adwoa Ackonor, MTN Ghana’s Manager for Enterprise Business, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to championing inclusion across its operations and social impact initiatives. “MTN Ghana is committed to creating a more inclusive digital and business ecosystem. Supporting the training of Persons with Disabilities aligns perfectly with our Ambition 2025 strategy, which emphasizes enabling communities, driving digital inclusion, and empowering SMEs. By equipping PWD entrepreneurs with entrepreneurial and digital skills, we are helping them unlock opportunities to grow their businesses, improve their livelihoods, and actively participate in Ghana’s economy,” Ackonor stated.
She further announced MTN Ghana’s intention to extend its support beyond the training event. “We are working to provide post-programme mentorship, continuous capacity building, and opportunities for participants to connect with our ecosystem of financial institutions, development partners, and market access platforms. Our goal is to ensure that the training translates into real business growth for every participant,” she added.
Unlocking Hidden Potential
The programme, which trained dozens of PWD entrepreneurs from Tamale and surrounding communities, highlighted the immense entrepreneurial potential within Ghana’s PWD community.
King David Amo, Corporate Communications and Marketing Lead at Innohub, said the initiative was deliberately designed to address long-standing barriers faced by PWD-led businesses. “This programme is focused on unlocking the entrepreneurial talent that lies within PWDs, especially here in the Northern Region. PWDs represent a large pool of entrepreneurial activity and economic value that has been largely untapped for too long,” Amo explained.
He noted that many PWD entrepreneurs already run small businesses but often lack access to finance, mentorship, and networks to scale. “We are asking ourselves how we can position their businesses to tap into funding and growth opportunities being offered by Fidelity Bank, MTN, and other partners. This is not just training—it’s a stepping stone to building investment-ready businesses,” he added.
A Test Case with National Potential
Amo revealed that the initiative, which is part of a five-year MTN–Innohub partnership to support 100 entrepreneurs annually—including 50 PWDs—serves as a pilot programme for broader national expansion. “We see this as a test case. Our vision is to scale this model nationwide and create opportunities for PWDs to showcase their products and services through market access programmes,” Amo said.
He emphasized that the training included interpreters and customized learning materials to ensure accessibility for all participants. “If there are opportunities available, we must make a special case for PWDs. Initiatives like this ensure that every entrepreneur, regardless of ability, is brought along,” he added.
Call for Broader Support
Amo called on more corporate entities to invest in empowering PWD entrepreneurs, citing their innovation and resilience. “PWDs are doing amazing things in business. With mentorship, funding, and exposure, they can scale their ideas and contribute even more to Ghana’s economy. There should be no barriers to their growth,” he said.
About Innohub
Innohub is an enterprise support organization dedicated to helping Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) achieve sustainability, scalability, and investment readiness. It focuses on bridging the early-stage and growth-stage funding gap, connecting businesses with critical capital, technical support, and partnerships to foster economic growth.
The two-day training in Tamale reflects a growing movement to prioritize economic inclusion and create business ecosystems where PWD entrepreneurs can thrive. Through this initiative, MTN Ghana, Fidelity Bank, and Innohub are proving that investment in marginalized communities is not just a corporate social responsibility measure but a pathway to unlocking Ghana’s untapped entrepreneurial potential.
