ENTREPRENEURS were celebrated for their contribution to national growth at the MTN SME Ghana Awards (SMEGA) 2024, held on October 30 at the Marriott Hotel in Accra.
The awards recognised small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have demonstrated innovation, resilience and excellence in various sectors of the economy.
The event, organised in partnership with MTN Ghana, Fidelity Bank and StarLife Assurance, brought together government officials, diplomats and business leaders to acknowledge the critical role SMEs play in creating jobs and driving economic growth.
According to the organisers, the initiative went beyond recognition to provide entrepreneurs with access to funding, training, and international exposure.
The 2024 edition marked another milestone in supporting Ghanaian businesses that are building a more competitive economy.
Business growth
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, Steven Blewett, reaffirmed MTN’s dedication to empowering entrepreneurs through technology and capacity building.
“Our partnership with the SME Ghana Awards goes beyond sponsorship. It’s a commitment to empower, to connect, and to help Ghanaian businesses thrive in an increasingly digital and globally competitive market,” he said
He explained that MTN’s initiatives, including MoMo for Business, SME digital solutions, and capacity-building programmes, were designed to help entrepreneurs scale their operations and compete effectively at home and abroad.
Mr Blewett noted that technology was an essential tool for modern business success, urging Ghanaian entrepreneurs to adopt digital tools that improve efficiency, increase market access, and open new opportunities.
“We believe that when small businesses succeed, Ghana succeeds,” he said.
Empowering entrepreneurs
The Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, Angela Mensah-Poku, said the awards were designed not only to honour outstanding businesses but also to provide practical support that enhanced their growth.
“SMEGA 2024 is a great opportunity for SMEs not only to be recognised but to be rewarded with tangible support,” she said.
She explained that winners would receive a fully funded life insurance package from StarLife Assurance, access to business loans from Fidelity Bank, and digital services from MTN to enhance their operations.
She noted that the overall winner would also attend a business development training programme in India to gain global exposure and build new networks.
Mrs Mensah-Poku added that MTN’s involvement would continue after the awards night.
“Once this is over, we don’t leave them. We hold their hand until next year. Our commitment is to ensure that no business is left behind, whether they are MTN customers or not,” she said.
She also announced that all nominees would take part in training programmes organised with Nova Business School and ABSA to equip them with management and digital skills for sustainable growth.
India’s support
The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Manish Gupta, commended the SMEGA initiative for promoting innovation and enterprise development.
“This evening celebrates the innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of Ghanaians,” he said.
He noted that small and medium enterprises were the backbone of every thriving economy and the key drivers of national development.
“SMEs are the engines of sustainable growth and global competitiveness. India and Ghana share this belief and stand ready to collaborate in technology, renewable energy, and digital transformation to empower entrepreneurs,” he said.
Mr Gupta highlighted India’s partnership with Ghana in areas such as capacity building, scholarships, and digital integration programmes that aimed to strengthen the SME sector.
“Our approach is not just to invest, but to empower. As co-travellers in Ghana’s development journey, we believe progress must come through partnership, innovation, and mutual trust,” he added.
Collaboration for growth
The Team Lead for SMEGA, Kwesi Ofori Jnr, expressed appreciation to MTN Ghana and its partners for their continuous support in strengthening Ghana’s business ecosystem.
He said the collaboration between SMEGA and MTN had already produced significant results.
“Through our partnership with MTN, we trained over 667 businesses across four regions this year. We are also facilitating international exchanges, with Ghanaian SMEs travelling to India and China for training and market access. Real progress comes through collaboration between government, the private sector, and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Mr Ofori noted that all nominees were winners in their own right because of their resilience and innovation.
He urged SMEs to make use of mentorship and capacity-building opportunities that would help them expand sustainably.
“Our vision is to move Ghanaian SMEs beyond local recognition to global relevance. We will continue to provide access to funding, exposure, and international partnerships that can drive real growth,” he said.
Excellence across industries
The 2024 edition of the SMEGA Awards celebrated 21 outstanding businesses across several categories, representing excellence in agribusiness, manufacturing, technology, services and trade.
Yesli Ice was named the Overall Best SME of the Year for its innovation and growth in the food and beverage sector.
Other winners included Sincheshea in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics category, Akaal Skills Development in textiles and garment manufacturing, B-Diet Limited in food processing and Saan One One Company Limited in construction and building materials.
Haps Global Logistics won the Rising Star Award, while Evergreen Blessed Limited received the Business Potential Discovery Award for micro entrepreneurs.
Lexvee Agro Processing, Queen GAF Enterprise, and Minana Services were recognised for their work in crop production, agro processing and commodity trade, respectively.
In education, Akaal Skills Development Academy was honoured for its service excellence, while Yesli Ice also won for production innovation.
Sincheshea received the award for technology adoption, Queen GAF Enterprise was recognised for export excellence, Charles of B-Diet received the SME Leaders Excellence Award, and Rita of Yesli Ice was named SME Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.
Special Recognition Awards went to Playwright, James Ebo Whyte, for his influence as an SME Industry Shaper, Mrs Joyce Ababio for Long Service to entrepreneurship, and Connect 97.1 FM for outstanding media reportage.
Strengthening Ghana’s SME
The SMEGA Awards continue to serve as a platform that connects entrepreneurs with investors, development partners, and policymakers.
The organisers said the initiative was established to support innovation and digital transformation among small and medium enterprises across Ghana. By combining recognition with practical business support, SMEGA has positioned itself as a catalyst for growth within the SME community.
The 2024 edition reaffirmed that small businesses remain the backbone of Ghana’s economic transformation, contributing significantly to employment and value creation.
As MTN Ghana and its partners continue to invest in digital tools and business training, the future of Ghana’s SMEs looks increasingly promising.
The awards demonstrated that with the right support, Ghanaian entrepreneurs can compete on the global stage and drive the nation’s journey towards inclusive and sustainable development.