Ghana, Japan strengthen SME cooperation as GEA CEO Margaret Ansei engages in talks at TICAD 9

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Margaret Ansei, has held bilateral talks with Japan’s Small and Medium Enterprises Agency on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held from August 20 to 22.

Facilitated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the discussions focused on financing for MSMEs, capacity building for small businesses and service providers, and leveraging technology to boost the competitiveness of Ghanaian enterprises.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the GEA Board, Professor Nathaniel Bosso, and UNIDO Deputy Director General, Yuko Yasunaga. Both parties pledged to deepen cooperation for the mutual benefit of Ghana and Japan.

In a separate engagement on August 19, Ms. Ansei joined a high-level panel where she shared Ghana’s experience in digitising manufacturing floors. She highlighted an ongoing digital initiative by the GEA in partnership with UNIDO aimed at enhancing efficiency and innovation in the country’s manufacturing sector.

The event also featured Ghana’s Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, who delivered the keynote address. She urged African nations to adopt digital strategies to modernise industries and drive growth.

The GEA’s participation at TICAD reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to harnessing technology, innovation, and global partnerships to accelerate the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Source: Joy Business