GNA Journalists schooled on MSMEs and Youth Entrepreneurship

Dr Martin Thompson Ntem, a Digital Media Specialist, has stated that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contribute significantly to the GDP of both developed and developing countries in different forms.'MSMEs are often at the forefront of innovation which drove new products, services, and processes with a diversity that operate across various sectors which include agriculture to manufacturing services.'Dr Ntem further indicated that MSMEs were major employers for youth and first-time job seekers, while they also create jobs within the local communities which contributed to regional development with flexible opportunities that could adapt to market change.Ghana News Agency (GNA) Journalists from Volta, Oti, Tema, and the Greater Accra Regions are undergoing training on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Youth Entrepreneurship under the 'Post Covid-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project' (PSDPEP) initiative.The ongoing four-day capacity-building workshop at Sog akope Villa Cisneros Resort, with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB), is aimed at equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to produce impactful advocacy messages through audio-visuals.He indicated that innovation, risk-taking, and adaptability were some key traits to characteristics of youth entrepreneurs in the age range between 15 and 35 years who engaged in entrepreneurial activities such as starting new businesses, creating startups, and innovation.Dr Ntem further mentioned that youth entrepreneurship was important since it helped contribute to the creation of jobs, and new market areas with most youth being familiar with the emerging technologies, leading to tech-driven innovation as well as focusing on solving social issues with profit purposes.He said the next generations needed encouragement and support by providing them with the needed education and skills with access to finance, mentorship, and networking opportunities.Dr Ntem stated that the difficulty in obtaining credit and investment, complex regulations and bureaucracy, limited access to larger markets and supply chains, and lack of access to new technologies, and innovation were some challenges faced by MSMEs.Therefore, the media, he said, has a greater role in promoting MSMEs and youth entrepreneurship by creating public awareness by highlighting the success stories of others with positive media presentations for public attention.The training, registering over 50 journos, was the second out of four phases to be undertaken within the Agency.Source: Ghana News Agency