RITA AKU-SHIKA DIABAH OF YESLI ICE SWEEPS TOP HONOURS AT MTN’S PRESTIGIOUS SMEGA AWARDS
MTN Ghana has once again demonstrated its deep commitment to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through innovation, digital advancement, and strategic partnerships at the 2025 SMEGA Awards ceremony held in Accra. The event brought together policymakers, business leaders, diplomats, and entrepreneurs to celebrate the outstanding contributions of SMEs to Ghana’s economic growth and job creation.
The MTN SMEGA Awards remains one of Ghana’s most distinguished platforms that recognizes and celebrates the innovation, leadership, and resilience of Ghanaian SMEs. Over the years, it has empowered hundreds of enterprises with mentorship, digital visibility, and access to financial and technical resources, positioning many of them to thrive in both local and global markets.
Speaking at the ceremony, Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Ghana, commended Ghanaian entrepreneurs for their creativity and determination in building the nation’s economy. She emphasized that SMEs play a crucial role in sustaining livelihoods and driving socio-economic transformation across the country. According to her, the event was not only a celebration of excellence but a tribute to the hardworking individuals and enterprises that form the backbone of Ghana’s economy. She explained that SMEs contribute over 70 percent of Ghana’s GDP and employ millions of citizens across all regions. She reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to providing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the digital tools, innovative solutions, and commercial ecosystem necessary to help them compete and grow beyond Ghana’s borders.
Ms. Mensah-Poku further underscored MTN’s ongoing initiatives tailored to accelerate SME growth, including MTN Adwumapa, MoMo for Business, the SME Accelerator Programme, and SME Business Clinics. She explained that these programmes are designed to promote financial inclusion and provide practical support for business development through technology and innovation, ensuring that local enterprises can thrive in a competitive digital economy.
The special guest of honour for the evening, Shri Manish Gupta, India’s High Commissioner to Ghana, applauded Ghana’s dynamic entrepreneurial community and reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening trade and technology partnerships. He announced plans to double India-Ghana trade from USD 3 billion to USD 6 billion within the next five years, noting that such collaborations would create opportunities for knowledge sharing, skills development, and increased access to international markets for Ghanaian SMEs.
Kwesi Ofori Jnr, Head of SMEGA Ghana, expressed gratitude to MTN Ghana, sponsors, and all partners for their continuous collaboration and support. He remarked that the SMEGA Awards platform has contributed significantly to the growth of numerous businesses that have expanded from local enterprises into global brands. He disclosed that through MTN’s partnership, more than 67 SMEs have benefited from digital and technical training programs, positioning them for success in the global business landscape. He further announced new initiatives aimed at expanding the presence of Ghanaian SMEs in international markets across India, China, and Europe.
The highlight of the prestigious evening was the remarkable recognition of Rita Aku-Shika Diabah, Chief Executive Officer of Yesli Ice, who swept multiple honours, including the coveted Overall Best SME of the Year. Her remarkable leadership, innovation, and strategic business growth earned her widespread applause as she also won three other major awards: SME Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, Production Innovation Award, and the Food and Beverage Category Award. Her company, Yesli Ice, has emerged as one of Ghana’s most outstanding enterprises, distinguished for its high-quality production standards, job creation, and innovation in product development.
In total, twenty-one other SMEs from various industries were also honoured for their exceptional contributions to innovation, employment creation, and business excellence. Their recognition reflected the resilience and ingenuity that continue to drive Ghana’s private sector forward.
The 2025 MTN SMEGA Awards reaffirmed MTN Ghana’s steadfast dedication to nurturing the SME sector as a cornerstone of national development. The event celebrated entrepreneurship, innovation, and the transformative role of small and medium enterprises in shaping Ghana’s economic future. Through continued investment in digital empowerment and strategic partnerships, MTN Ghana remains committed to fostering a more inclusive, resilient, and globally competitive SME landscape.
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Media Contacts:
Adwoa Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer
Georgina Asare Fiagbenu
Corporate Communications Senior Manager
Email: mtnghana.mediaoffice@mtn.com
About MTN Ghana
MTN Ghana is the market leader in the mobile telecommunications industry in Ghana, offering subscribers a range of exciting options under Pay As You Go, Pay Monthly, and Mobile Financial Services. The company is part of the MTN Group, a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to its customers. Inspired by the belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life, Scancom PLC is listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Its strategic focus, Ambition 2025, aims at leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
