The GNBCC SME Support Desk Cohort 2 Completes First Two Weeks of Intensive Training

Following a successful pilot last year, the GNBCC has officially kicked off the second edition of its SME Support Desk.

This cohort, which is strictly dedicated to SMEs within the Horticulture and Cocoa-producing sectors, has seen an expanded reach, moving from five companies in the pilot phase to doubling the number of participating businesses this year. Over the past two weeks, business owners have gathered online and in-person for intensive, hands-on workshops designed to move beyond theory and into implementation.

These workshops are held at “The Kitchen,” a unique space operated by the Ghana Food Movement (GFM) in Osu. As an organization that prepares nutritious meals using strictly local ingredients, this collaboration aligns directly with our mission to promote the horticulture sector and encourage the consumption of locally produced foods.

The program commenced with a focus on structural clarity. The Accounting Desk, led by Akwasi Dampson, introduced the SME Financial Mastery concept, teaching CEOs that Revenue is vanity, Profit is sanity, but Cash is king. Simultaneously, Grace Agorigo from the Marketing Desk challenged participants to define their Unique Value Proposition (UVP) to stand out in a competitive global market, while the HR Desk, led by Naana Biney Ohemeng, highlighted how formalized internal structures are the primary driver of sustainable growth.

The second week shifted the training toward specific operational tools. The Accounting Desk delved deeper into the discipline of bookkeeping, mastering the tracking of debits and credits to maintain accurate Profit and Loss statements. Meanwhile, the Marketing Desk focused on branding and identity, helping businesses develop core values and brand guidelines that resonate with target buyers. Finally, the HR Desk expanded on the recruitment process, providing a roadmap for SMEs to attract and select the right talent to scale their operations.

Meet the SME Support Desk: Cohort 2

We are proud to work with a diverse group of entrepreneurs dedicated to formalizing the Horticulture and Cocoa value chains in Ghana. Our 2026 participants include NB Agribiz Africa Ltd, Mezmell Local Bar, Amosah Farms, Chocolart Haus, Adeaf Crystal Enterprise, Adolins Gardens Limited, AFB Golden Enterprise, Green Gold Gardens, and Laam Shea Products.

Voices from the Cohort

Our participants are already seeing the impact of these sessions:

“Marketing has taught us to work on the unique value proposition of our products and a marketing budget. In HR, we now see it as the wheel that runs the business; I am using this knowledge to put together a team that truly fits our vision. For Accounting, I will now ensure I receive and thoroughly review monthly reports from our accounts officer.” Amosah Farms

“We learned how a Unique Value Proposition allows a business to stand out and will implement that in our future efforts. On the HR front, we realized that training new staff on the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ is key to reducing hiring mistakes. Finally, we now understand the critical difference between cash and accrual accounting and the importance of recording every transaction.” Green Gold Gardens

“We are learning the importance of fostering a positive working environment by appreciating small accomplishments.” NB Agribiz Africa Ltd

What’s Next?

As we move into the final weeks of Phase 1 (Group Training), the SMEs are preparing for Phase 2, which involves 1-on-1 implementation support. During this stage, our Desk Leads, Grace, Naana, and Akwasi will visit the SMEs at their business locations or conduct targeted online sessions to help them physically set up the systems and solutions discussed in these workshops.

About the GNBCC SME Support Desk

The SME Support Desk is a GNBCC initiative designed to provide practical structural support to SMEs. By focusing on Accounting, HR, and Marketing, the desk helps businesses become “investor-ready” and formalized for long-term success.