Tamale was charged with excitement and renewed hope on Tuesday as 160 entrepreneurs drawn from across northern Ghana were recognised and supported under the MTN SME Support Program. With a combined financial package of GH¢2 million, the program placed special emphasis on inclusivity, deliberately celebrating and empowering women-led ventures, youth innovators, and persons with disabilities whose determination and creativity are shaping their communities.
The awards ceremony, held at the Radach Lodge and Conference Centre, was organised by Innohub in partnership with the MTN Ghana Foundation and Fidelity Bank Ghana. It marked the third edition of the initiative, which has steadily grown into one of the most impactful support programs for small and medium-scale enterprises in Ghana’s north.
In her address, Cynthia Mills, Economic Empowerment Advisor at the MTN Ghana Foundation, described the program as a bold commitment to inclusive development. She revealed that over 350 businesses had participated in assessments, pitch competitions and training sessions in Tamale and Bolgatanga before 160 were selected for support. The beneficiaries, she noted, span industries such as shea butter and peanut butter processing, poultry, fish mongering, agribusiness, fashion design and the creative arts.
“These are not just businesses,” she said. “They are lifelines for families and communities. They have the power to transform lives, create jobs and inspire future generations. This year, we are committing GH¢2 million to ensure these entrepreneurs can expand, innovate and succeed.” Mills further highlighted that women-led businesses received the largest share of support, followed closely by youth-led initiatives and differently-abled entrepreneurs, reinforcing MTN’s vision of inclusive and sustainable growth.
Robert Kuzoe, Senior Manager at MTN Ghana, stressed that the program was designed to go beyond financial handouts. He explained that MTN’s partnership with Innohub was intentional, ensuring that beneficiaries were trained in bookkeeping, financial planning and resource management before receiving funds. “We want these businesses to last,” he said. “That is why we combine funding with knowledge. Our vision is to see youth, women and differently abled entrepreneurs not just survive but thrive.” Kuzoe underscored MTN’s philosophy of leaving no one behind, stressing that inclusivity was at the heart of the program.
Representing Innohub, Mame Serwaa Amoakohene, Chief of Staff, spoke about the organisation’s mission to support businesses often ignored by mainstream financing. She noted that many small enterprises struggle to access funding because they are deemed too risky, while large firms easily attract investors. Innohub, she said, was created to bridge that gap, helping small and growing businesses to become investor-ready. She added that the program’s focus on capacity building in areas like innovative strategies and succession planning was critical to ensuring long-term success.
For the entrepreneurs themselves, the day was nothing short of transformative. Niamatu Alhassan, founder and CEO of Angbanlife, whose agribusiness produces natural Sobolo tea blends, could not hide her joy. She explained that the GH¢20,000 support would allow her to scale up production, introduce new flavours and meet the growing demand from her customers.
For Mohammed Tahiru, CEO of Suglo Shoe Enterprise and a proud member of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, the recognition carried even deeper meaning. “People often think disability means inability,” he said. “But today, MTN has shown the world that we have skills, ideas and dreams worth investing in. This support will help me raise the standards of my handmade shoes and take care of my family.”
The ceremony was not only a celebration of individual success stories but also a powerful statement about inclusive growth in Ghana. By deliberately targeting women, youth and differently abled entrepreneurs, MTN Ghana Foundation, together with Innohub and Fidelity Bank, has demonstrated that equitable opportunities are key to sustainable development.
As the beneficiaries left the Radach Lodge, many with renewed confidence and big plans for expansion, one message resonated clearly: inclusivity is not charity — it is empowerment. With the MTN SME Support Program, dreams once stifled by lack of resources are being nurtured into enterprises that can uplift families, create jobs and drive economic transformation across northern Ghana.
