Solidaidad and ILO train 20 in best business practices

Solidaridad West Africa and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have trained twenty persons selected from the mining, cocoa and oil palms sectors in workable strategies to enable them to attract investments.

The training adopts the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) programme which has globally proven to support small and growing business to attract and retain investment and to expand.

The programme which is being facilitated by the Sekondi Takoradi Chamber of Mines with support from the Dutch and Swiss governments would help small and growing businesses improve productivity and competitiveness.

The SCORE modules emphasize on workplace cooperation, quality, productivity through cleaner production, human resource management and safety and health at work.

SMEs critical

The Training and Curriculum Manager of Solidaridad, Mr Nii Dodoo Dodoo said small and growing business were the backbone of many economic in Africa and it was important these businesses were supported to improve on quality and productivity to attract the needed investment for growth.

However, he noted that many of these small business could themselves not have the resources improve productivity.

“Good production practices cost money. Good practices must necessarily be transformed into bankable businesses to be able to attract the investments require to be sustainable.

He said Solidaridad’s support involved equipping the participants with skills in entrepreneurship and business management to create viable businesses along the supply chain and beneficiary sectors.

He said Solidaridad worked closely with supply chain actions, both private and public to improve production practices using climate-smart approaches, whilst addressing issues of food security, nutrition, community development and gender.

“The end result is improvement in the wellbeing of producer, communities and the environment,” he added.

Remarkable impact expected

The National Coordinator of the Programme, Mr Samuel Onoma Asiedu said this was the first time the ILO was collaborating with Solidaridad West Africa adding that the programme was certain to make the desired impact on the beneficiary businesses.

The SCORE has made global impact and we are certain that impact for beneficiary businesses would remarkable,” he stated.