The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Ms. Margaret Ansei, has underscored the critical role of technology in transforming Ghana’s economy, urging businesses to embrace digital tools to boost productivity and reduce operational waste.
Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum on Saturday, April 19, 2025, Ms. Ansei emphasized that the success of Ghana’s much-touted 24-hour economy policy hinges on efficiency and innovation—particularly among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which account for over 90% of businesses and employ approximately 80% of the country’s labour force.
“Implementation of a 24-hour economy with inefficiencies would be a very expensive adventure,” she warned, noting that a recent GEA pilot using a Digital Enterprise Performance Management Tool revealed significant operational losses among beneficiary enterprises—up to 17.9% in sales and 28% in productivity.
Ms. Ansei explained that these losses are not just financial, but stem from deeper inefficiencies such as performance, availability, and quality losses—challenges that technology can directly address.
“We are consciously embarking on inclusive service provision to give hope to everybody. Under my leadership, the agency has partnered with UNIDO to develop digital tools that help MSMEs collect real-time data, track key performance indicators, and reduce waste,” she stated.
She highlighted the U-SPARK Project as a game-changer, providing SMEs with the digital capacity to diagnose problems and enhance production lines—leading to a reported 36% improvement in overall efficiency through reduced quality losses.
The GEA boss also touched on broader initiatives under the RESET AGENDA, including tailored funding for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, digitization programs for disabled entrepreneurs, and efforts to formalize businesses through the Rural Enterprises Program.
Ms. Ansei reiterated the agency’s commitment to aligning with the vision of President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy by ensuring that MSMEs are not only part of the national conversation but are equipped with the tools to thrive.
“GEA stands as an irreplaceable pillar in the sustainable development and promotion of MSMEs in Ghana. We shall continue to roll out innovative interventions to build a thriving and prosperous Ghanaian business ecosystem,” she concluded.
The Kwahu Business Forum brought together key stakeholders in Ghana’s private sector, financial institutions, government officials, and development partners to discuss practical solutions for industrial transformation and inclusive economic growth.
