The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), is to strategically collaborate with the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to meet the financial needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the SADA zone.
Speaking at the Northern Regional Annual General Meeting, AGI’s National President, James Asare-Adjei, bemoaned the regional chapter’s low membership drive, hence the need to collaborate with SADA.
“Available records at the Secretariat indicate that the membership in this region is not growing as expected.”
He acknowledged SADA’s unique opportunities required to fast track industrial development in the three regions of the north.
“Indeed, the collaboration and partnership between AGI and SADA is long overdue, and I wish to indicate that AGI is more than ready to partner SADA to move this region forward.”
James Asare-Adjei reaffirmed AGI’s plans to establish an industrial bank to support its members.
According to him, the association applied for banking license and is expecting response from the Bank of Ghana.
“Building the capacities of our SMEs to be able to compete both locally and internationally is the hallmark of AGI SMEs development agenda.”
“In this regard, we humbly appeal to the various financial institutions to be flexible in their requirements to enable SME businesses access credit without any impediments on their way.”
He further revealed that the AGI National Council’s willingness to make available medium term credit to viable businesses especially those in the three regions of the north.
He appealed to financial institutions saying, “The financial institutions should create products that meet the needs of SMEs particularly those outside the capital Accra: this is the surest way of helping our local industries to be more competitive.”
He unveiled the AGI National Council’s willpower to support its branches with the needed logistics including vehicles.
“As a business association, AGI is fully aware of the challenges facing the SME operators in this region which include difficulty in accessing credit facilities, high cost of credit, poor road network, difficulty in securing business operating permits from the local authorities and constraints to remain competitive in the Ghanaian market.”
James Asare-Adjei kicked against the infiltration of foreign companies into the Ghanaian markets to the disadvantage of local industry players.
He tasked the newly inducted regional executives to embark on a membership campaign to increase its visibility in the region.
SADA Board Chairman, Sulley Adam, bemoaned the apathy of Ghanaians towards patronizing made in Ghana goods.
He emphasized the need for local manufacturers to make their products competitive in global markets. Sulley Adam impressed upon the AGI members to retool consumers attitude towards patronizing made in Ghana goods.
He said SADA would deepen its collaboration with the AGI to build strong and relevant industries.
Newly elected officers of the AGI in the Northern Region were inducted into office. Osman Sahanoon Kalandi of Pumptech Limited is the Regional Chairman, and his vice is Abramani Freeman of Upper Quarry Limited.
The rest are Yakubu Braimah as the Treasurer while Baba Yabdow and Ibrahim Hajara Taimako are executive members.
Osman Sahanoon on the sidelines told Citi News the regional chapter could boast of 40 members. He promised to make the AGI attractive to SMEs in the region and beyond.
