GCB empowers small business owners

GCB Bank PLC, has trained owners of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) in sound financial and business practices as part of its objective to boost their competitiveness in their respective industries. 

At a workshop organised in Accra, participants were trained in book and record keeping, emphasising the importance of maintaining accurate financial records for effective business decision-making and growth tracking. 

They were also educated on the intricacies of International Trade and the benefits of GCB Bank as a financial partner and the necessary procedures and documentation required for cross-border transactions.

Similarly, the MSEs were taken through steps on how businesses could become bankable, with focus on building a credible financial history and developing sound business plans to access funding opportunities and become attractive clients for financial institutions. 

Participants were also exposed to investment solutions focusing on investment opportunities available for small businesses to grow their capital and secure their financial future.

As part of the programme, KPMG conducted a session on technology for trading, highlighting the importance of integrating technology into business operations for efficiency and market expansion. The session featured digital tools and platforms that MSEs could leverage to streamline their processes and enhance customer engagement.

Launch  

The workshop formed part of the bank’s launch of its customer experience campaign dubbed: ‘Go Beyond.’ 

The campaign aimed at inspiring staff to deliver delightful experiences that exceeded customers’ expectations at all touchpoints. 

The bank also launched its Value-Added Package (BAP) insurance initiative to offer insurance cover against circumstances such as fire and illness among others that can lead to business interruptions. 

The financial institution also organised a free health screening session on the sidelines of the event where participants underwent blood pressure and sugar screening as well as breast examinations among others; reflecting the bank’s commitment to promoting public health alongside business growth. Medical professionals were present to conduct the screening and also to educate participants on the importance of early detection. This was in alignment with the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Small businesses 

At the event, the Executive Head of Retail at GCB Bank, Sina Kamagate, highlighted the bank's dedication to fostering the expansion of small businesses in Ghana, describing them as the lifeblood of the economy. 

“At GCB, our solutions are targeted at addressing the fundamental challenges of the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprise (MSME) sector and to help grow businesses in Ghana,” he added.

The Managing Director of the Makola Market Company, John Appea, encouraged traders and business owners to take advantage of the package to protect themselves and their businesses. 

“The essence of this is to help us all as business owners bridge that gap and eliminate that obstacle of funding which is always said to be the number one challenge for small businesses in our part of the world to be once and for all addressed effectively,” he said.