T he programme is in line with the EPA Accompanying Measures Strategies and the Government priorities. It aims to develop value chains, improve competitiveness of SMEs, strengthen the supporting intermediate organisations and create better linkages among the selected value chain actors. As a result, UNIDO has developed a tailored approach with 5 key axes: coordinate, compete, conform, connect and credit termed as “The 5 C’s for competitiveness”.
This integrated approach aims to ensure that SMEs are competitive in international markets with adequate access to financing end enhance shared prosperity in Ghana.
Coordinate
SMEs and intermediate organizations of the 3 selected value chains - Fruits, Cassava and Cosmetics & Personal-Care Products are being supported to have increased capacity to produce quality products integrated into the global value chains and acceptable to the regional and international markets through coordinated efforts by the project to promote dialogue and synergies within the Value Chains (VCs) through Value Chain Strategic Committees (VCSCs) hosted by WACOMP team in Ghana.
The members of the VCSCs offer strategic advisory support to improve sector dialogue and develop strategic VC diagnosis to serve as linkages to improve participation in the respective regional VCs.
WACOMP collaborates with existing projects being implemented by Federation of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), SECO funded Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) and other development projects also focusing on selected value chains
Compete
SMEs and support networks or associations within the Cassava, Fruits(mango and pineapple),Cosmetics and personal care products value chains are being supported to develop competitive manufacturing capabilities through clusters to access markets using UNIDO’s cluster methodology and to have increased capacity to produce quality products integrated into the global value chains and acceptable to the regional and international markets.
These SMEs and institutions are also being trained by Private and Public Sectors’ Cluster Development Agents and networks coordinators trained by WACOMP on how to use relevant equipment complying with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and coached for the establishment of SMEs cluster networks in order to increase competitiveness and ensure the sustainability of the intervention after end of the project.
Conform
Quality and innovation of organizations strengthens and boosts SMEs access to regional and international markets. We support quality infrastructure institutions such as the GSA, FDA and other relevant laboratories to conform to international quality requirements by building their capacity to receive accreditation and through the expansion of testing scopes for accreditation.
SMEs within the selected value chains are also supported to comply with market requirement through ISO trainings and support towards certification to produce quality products integrated into the global value chains and acceptable to the regional and international markets.
Connect
We promote efficient connectivity to markets by strengthening marketing capabilities. The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and SMEs operating within the selected value chains marketing capacities are enhanced to improve market access to regional and international Value Chains. The project is currently supporting GEPA to increase the products’ visibility of the selected VC on the international markets through the GEPA Market Hub. SMEs’ products are given the maximum visibility on GEPA Market Hub and also sponsored to participate in International fairs.
WACOMP will support GEPA to develop new curriculum for the GEPA Export School, facilitate periodic trainings to SMEs and Trainer of Trainers on the requirements of the International markets for processors and SMEs.
Credit
We link SMEs to financial institutions to access appropriate and affordable credit schemes. The project is currently implementing a Matching Grant Scheme to offer appropriate and affordable financial services to SMEs and clusters of targeted VCs. SMEs, clusters and networks are able to access a maximum of 40,000.00 Euros and a minimum of Minimum 25,000.00 Euros.
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