Association of Small-Scale Industries empowers trade executives in Bono East with a mentorship programme

The Association of Small-Scale Industries (ASSI) in conjunction with the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) recently hosted a mentorship and coaching programme in Techiman, Bono East Region. This event aimed to enhance the capabilities of trade association leaders, focusing on fostering sustainable business expansion and improving workplace efficiency. Attendees included executives such as chairpersons, vice chairpersons, secretaries, and organizers from diverse trade associations.

ASSI's National President, Christian Balagi, underscored the urgency of such initiatives, highlighting the significant challenges faced by small-scale enterprises, particularly access to funding. He called for increased governmental support to alleviate these financial constraints, which often impede the growth trajectory of local businesses.

Osman Ibrahim, the Bono East Regional Chairman of ASSI, emphasized the vital role ASSI members play in training apprentices, who eventually become master craftsmen. He stressed the importance of a strong connection between master craftsmen and their apprentices, asserting that the growth of ASSI and its members would substantially contribute to economic development and job creation for the youth in the region.

The mentorship programme, a collaboration between ASSI and GEA, highlights the government's dedication to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By equipping participants with practical strategies, the initiative aims to create a cascading effect, empowering executives to mentor their members and apprentices. Following the programme, attendees returned to their respective trades with enhanced knowledge and renewed commitment, anticipating tangible growth, job generation, and a more robust small-scale industrial sector within the Bono East Region and Ghana as a whole.