Hosted by UNOPS Ghana in partnership with the government’s Office of the Minister of State in Charge of Public Procurement, the UNOPS Possibilities (UP) Forum helps to strengthen national capacity by providing owners of local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with the information needed to help them succeed.

“These types of businesses create employment, especially for those left behind, such as women, youth and people with disabilities,” said Sylvia Lopez Ekra, Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration in Ghana and UN Resident Coordinator ad interim.

“[Around] 92 per cent of companies in Ghana are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. They contribute to 70 per cent of Ghana’s gross domestic product, so focusing on them is what we want to do,” said Sarah Adwoa Safo, Minister of State in Charge of Public Procurement.

Over the course of the two-day event, which started 24 July in Accra, participants learned how to register in the UN Global Marketplace and how to do business with UNOPS.

“The UP Forum equipped these businesses with information that will help them increase their client base, both within and outside Ghana,” said Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba, Director and Representative, UNOPS in Ghana.

Participants also received more information on the government of Ghana’s mechanism that allocates 30 per cent of public procurement spend to businesses owned by traditionally disadvantaged groups. Local entrepreneurs also shared their success stories with participants, to inspire them going forward.

“I encourage you to take advantage of the experiences shared at this forum, and to take your small business and grow internationally," said Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Ghana’s Chief of Staff for the Office of the President.