On Wednesday, 15th May 2025, a sensitization and information-sharing session was held at the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly Hall to engage members of the business community on key issues relating to enterprise classification and client registration. Organized by the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) under the auspices of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), the session specifically targeted women entrepreneurs and informal sector actors, with the aim of promoting formalization and enhancing access to support services.
The primary objective of the event was to introduce participants to the classification of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as outlined in the Ghana Enterprises Agency Act (Act 1043). Additionally, the session aimed to raise awareness about the significance of business formalization, provide insights into the benefits of client registration, and gather feedback from participants on how the office could better support their business needs.
The event saw the active participation of tradespeople from various sectors, including hairdressers, tailors, dressmakers, mechanics, and a few male artisans. The atmosphere throughout the session was cordial and interactive, with participants showing enthusiasm in engaging with the facilitators, asking pertinent questions, and offering practical suggestions for future improvement.
The session began with brief introductions by the BAC officers and participants, setting the tone for a welcoming and inclusive environment. The BAC team provided an overview of their mandate, emphasizing their role in facilitating the growth and sustainability of MSMEs. One of the key segments of the session was a presentation on MSME classification, led by the BAC head using the official presentation titled “Classification of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.” This presentation detailed the rationale behind classifying enterprises according to size and capacity and the implications of these classifications in determining eligibility for various support programs.
The classification criteria were explained as follows: Micro Enterprises consist of 1 to 5 permanent employees, Small Enterprises have 6 to 30, Medium Enterprises have 31 to 100, and Large Enterprises employ more than 100 people. Additionally, important business concepts such as fixed assets, turnover, and permanent employees were explained in local terms to ensure clarity among participants, many of whom operate in the informal sector.
Following this, the BAC team educated participants on the client registration process. The benefits of being a registered client were thoroughly discussed, including access to capacity-building training, opportunities to participate in trade shows and exhibitions, linkages to funding, business advisory services, internship placements, and eligibility for both government and donor-supported interventions.
The session also provided a platform for engagement and feedback. Participants posed questions about registration costs, support available for women-owned businesses, and access to capital. Many attendees expressed interest in more frequent sessions, noting the importance of such engagements in empowering their businesses.
Despite the overall success of the event, a few challenges were noted. The meeting began approximately 30 minutes late due to the delayed arrival of some participants, which impacted the overall schedule. Furthermore, limited financial resources affected participation, especially for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and individuals from more distant communities, who faced transportation and logistical barriers.
To address these challenges, several recommendations were proposed. First, time management could be improved through consistent reminders to participants before scheduled meetings. Second, there is a need for additional funding to facilitate the inclusion of vulnerable groups such as PWDs and participants from remote areas. Finally, the team proposed organizing zonal or cluster-based sessions to expand outreach and make the program more accessible to those unable to attend centralized events.
As a way forward, participants were encouraged to complete their client registrations with the BAC to benefit from the range of services offered. The office also plans to conduct follow-up visits in collaboration with trade associations to assist in registering interested artisans within their own communities. Additionally, the BAC aims to organize periodic training tailored to the specific needs and interests expressed during the session.
In conclusion, the sensitization session was highly productive. It provided a platform to clarify the MSME classification framework, underscored the importance of formalization, and encouraged client registration as a pathway to business growth and sustainability. The active involvement of the participants and their valuable feedback demonstrated a strong commitment within the local business community to engage with institutional support systems. The BAC remains dedicated to fostering this relationship through ongoing dialogue and targeted support interventions.