Earlier this year, the Ghana Netherlands Business & Culture Council (GNBCC), under the Netherlands Embassy\u2019s Private Sector Development (PSD) Project, launched the SME Support Desk to provide practical, tailored support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana\u2019s horticulture and cocoa sectors.<\/p>\n
The Desk focuses on three key areas:<\/p>\n
Marketing & Communications
\nAccounting & Bookkeeping
\nHuman Resources (HR)
\nApplications opened at the end of May and ran into early June, attracting 23 legally registered SMEs\u2014all operating in manufacturing or production within the horticulture or cocoa value chains. Applicants were required to complete a detailed questionnaire to help us understand their current operations, needs, and growth aspirations.<\/p>\n
After a thorough shortlisting and interview process in July, six outstanding SMEs were selected for this first cohort.The program officially commenced in August 2025. Over the next two months, each business will receive direct, hands-on support from our experts\u2014working together to strengthen internal systems, implement tailored solutions, and set them on the path toward sustainable growth, market expansion, and investment readiness.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re excited to see the transformation these SMEs will undergo and look forward to profiling their journeys as we progress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Earlier this year, the Ghana Netherlands Business & Culture Council (GNBCC), under the Netherlands Embassy\u2019s Private Sector Development (PSD) Project, launched the SME Support Desk to provide practical, tailored support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana\u2019s horticulture and cocoa sectors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":13227,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[169],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sme-desk"],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14771,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/application-open-gnbcc-sme-support-desk-2nd-cohort\/","url_meta":{"origin":13193,"position":0},"title":"Application Open: GNBCC SME Support Desk (2nd Cohort)","author":"Michael Teye","date":"February 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The GNBCC is pleased to announce the launch of the second cohort of its SME Support Desk, a subsidised, hands-on programme designed specifically for horticulture and cocoa-based SMEs seeking to formalise operations, strengthen internal systems, and position their businesses for sustainable growth.","rel":"","context":"In "SME Desk"","block_context":{"text":"SME Desk","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/sme-desk\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Newsletter-Blog-Media.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Newsletter-Blog-Media.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Newsletter-Blog-Media.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Newsletter-Blog-Media.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Newsletter-Blog-Media.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15389,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/the-gnbcc-sme-support-desk-cohort-2-completes-first-two-weeks-of-intensive-training\/","url_meta":{"origin":13193,"position":1},"title":"The GNBCC SME Support Desk Cohort 2 Completes First Two Weeks of Intensive Training","author":"Grace Agorigo","date":"March 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "SME Desk"","block_context":{"text":"SME Desk","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/sme-desk\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mahama-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mahama-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mahama-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mahama-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mahama-1.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":18850,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/applications-open-for-the-gnbcc-sme-support-desk-cohort-3\/","url_meta":{"origin":13193,"position":2},"title":"Applications Open for the GNBCC SME Support Desk, Cohort 3","author":"Paul N.","date":"August 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Applications are now open for Cohort 3 of the GNBCC SME Support Desk. The programme supports entrepreneurs and SMEs in Ghana\u2019s horticulture and cocoa value chains to strengthen their business systems.","rel":"","context":"In "SME Desk"","block_context":{"text":"SME Desk","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/sme-desk\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Thumbnail-Application-SME-Support-Desk-2026-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Thumbnail-Application-SME-Support-Desk-2026-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Thumbnail-Application-SME-Support-Desk-2026-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Thumbnail-Application-SME-Support-Desk-2026-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Thumbnail-Application-SME-Support-Desk-2026-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":18961,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/applications-open-for-the-gnbcc-sme-support-desk-cohort-3-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":13193,"position":3},"title":"Applications Open for the GNBCC SME Support Desk, Cohort 3","author":"Paul N.","date":"September 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Applications are now open for Cohort 3 of the GNBCC SME Support Desk. The programme supports entrepreneurs and SMEs in Ghana\u2019s horticulture and cocoa value chains to strengthen their business systems.","rel":"","context":"In "SME Desk"","block_context":{"text":"SME Desk","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/sme-desk\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Thumbnail-Application-SME-Support-Desk-2026-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Thumbnail-Application-SME-Support-Desk-2026-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Thumbnail-Application-SME-Support-Desk-2026-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Thumbnail-Application-SME-Support-Desk-2026-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Thumbnail-Application-SME-Support-Desk-2026-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17409,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/from-structure-to-scale-the-gnbcc-sme-support-desk-closing-workshop-advances-businesses-from-capacity-building-to-growth-and-export-readiness\/","url_meta":{"origin":13193,"position":4},"title":"From Structure to Scale: The GNBCC SME Support Desk Closing Workshop Advances Businesses from Capacity Building to Growth and Export Readiness","author":"Paul N.","date":"July 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The GNBCC successfully concluded its three-day SME Support Desk Closing Workshop, held from 21\u201323 July 2026 at the Airport View Hotel. Under the theme \u201cFrom Structure to Scale: Sustaining Growth and Export Readiness,\u201d the workshop brought together SME alumni for practical consultations, expert clinics and talent matchmaking, supporting businesses to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Events"","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Newsletter-Blog-Media-17.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Newsletter-Blog-Media-17.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Newsletter-Blog-Media-17.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Newsletter-Blog-Media-17.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Newsletter-Blog-Media-17.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12858,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/project-update-sme-training-module-two-international-marketing\/","url_meta":{"origin":13193,"position":5},"title":"Project Update: SME Training Module Two “International Marketing”","author":"Tracy Mensah","date":"March 29, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The project \u201cUpgrading business competences among SME entrepreneurs in Ghana\u2019s horticultural and cocoa products value chains\u201d is in full swing with the entrepreneurial participants having recently finished their second module. 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