EISD Trains MSMEs in the Northern Region under the FEED THE FUTURE - Market Systems Resilience (MSR) “Enhancing MSME Capacity Through Formalization and Skills Development” PROJECT

EISD Trains MSMEs in the Northern Region under the FEED THE FUTURE – Market Systems Resilience (MSR) “Enhancing MSME Capacity Through Formalization and Skills Development” PROJECT

by with No Comment Training

Given the importance of formalization to business development, USAID Feed the Future under their Market Systems and Resilience (MSR) Project contracted EISD to provide capacity building for 77 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises under their zones of influence districts in the Northern Region. These included Sagnarigu, Gusheigu, Karaga, Mion, Yendi and Nanton disticts.

EISD in collaboration with other partners including the Ghana Enterprise Agency and Business Advisory Centers in all districts selected 77 MSMEs to benefit from this project.

A business diagnostic was done by our project team to have a true appreciation of the needs of the businesses and know where each business stood. This then informed our intervention design.

Next was the Business Formalization, Branding and Improvement Training for all the MSMEs. This saw us provide insights into the Statutory, legal and regulatory frameworks governing MSMEs in Ghana. We also took business through Marketing and branding techniques for Agricultural products as weak as customer service, sales and digital marketing insights.

The concept of 5S and Kaizen (continuous improvement) at the workplace to improve productivity and efficiency was not left out.

Our team in collaboration with the Registrar of Companies took the data of all MSMEs to have their businesses formally registered.  All 77 businesses have up to date Business Certificates. Our team also engaged the relevant agencies for product licensing and Progressive licensing for the business. All the businesses now know how to go about this and have their products duly licensed.

Additionally, in collaboration with MTN, all MSMEs have been provided with Merchant SIM cards for the businesses.

The next phase of the training were sessions on Financial Literacy, MSME financing and Bookkeeping. All enterprises were taken through lessons in Financial Literacy, MSME financing, budgeting and financial planning as well as extensive record keeping best practices. Again, all MSMEs were provided with record keeping books for DEBIT, CREDIT, STOCK and INVENTORY, EXPENDITURE and lastly, CASH and SALES books. They were taken through the nitty grittiest of record keeping and ensure that their financial records are accurate, up to date, and organized allowing for effective financial management and decision making.

Our engagements were all very interactive and participatory, using PowerPoint presentations, group activities including discussions, role playing simulations and case studies.

A total of 77 participants were involved in this endeavor: 9 from Gusheigu, 17 from Karaga, 12 from Mion, 9 from Nanton, 12 from Yendi and 18 from Sagnarigu with a female participation of 97%.

84% of the participants were engaged in processing and production with 9% engaged in Marketing and 7% engaged in aggregation of Agric produce.

Participants were involved in a number of agricultural produce including soyabeans (35%), groundnut (21%), shea (17%), rice (12%), maize (10%), vegetables (3%), fish (1%) and livestock rearing (1%).

This project has been a transformative experience for all participants. They have formalized their businesses and gained vital skills for growth.

What next for the businesses? Market Access for the businesses is being done. Once the businesses have finalized their product licensing, EISD in collaboration with our Canadian partners the I AM WORTH IT Project will onboard all businesses unto the I AM WORTH IT APP. By this, we will provide them access to markets both locally and internationally as well as a network of like minded business people where they can learn and share experiences. By being on the I AM WORTH IT APP, they automatically enjoy our one-year post training support which includes refresher training, coaching and mentorship support, expert engagements and more.

For us at EISD, as partners of MSR and as key players in the development ecosystem, this assignment may have come to an end but our engagements with the MSMEs have only just begun. They all now form part of our database and would be legible to benefit from several Business Development Services we provide. The handholding continues. Our doors are always open for further collaboration and implementation.

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Vinyl Tiles & Artificial Grass Installer Training The Journey of 18 Women

Vinyl Tiles & Artificial Grass Installer Training: “The Journey of 18 Women”

by Training

The Vinyl and Artificial Grass Installer Training Programme is a livelihood security scheme that is meant to empower and nurture entrepreneurial young women in the rapidly changing and competitive world. It is an offered initiative by Edugha Institute for Social Development (EISD), in collaboration with Modern Floors. It draws from the WEE-NORTH project sponsored by Global Affairs Canada through the Alinea Foundation, which focuses on inculcating industrial trades skills in young women in the northern part of Ghana, to equip them with the necessary capacity that ensures their self-dependence as young women in the male dominated society.

After undergoing a carefully planned selection process, a slot for the second cohort was ready and accommodated eighteen (18) young women, four from Wa in the Upper West region, four from Gushegu in the Northern region, four from Salaga in the Savana region, five from Tamale in the Northern region and one from Bolga in the Upper East region, who have successfully completed a 12-week vinyl and artificial grass installer training course and successfully graduated on the 25th January, 2024. The training programme offered a wide range of skills development and entrepreneurship courses which now serve as vital leveraging tools for these young women. It entailed the vinyl and Artificial Grass Installer Training (Theory and Practical), the Empowerment and Soft-Skills Training, the 360 Degree Industrial Attachment, final Practical Sessions and Advocacy.

Finally, we have eighteen (18) professional vinyl and artificial grass installers having received their certificates and transitioned to the field of real work. They performed greatly during this training, and EISD especially, expects immaculate service delivery from them going forward.

The training programme was initiated last year on Monday 12th June, 2023, admitted twenty (20) young women representing the first cohort of the training programme, who successfully completed the 12-week training and graduated. This has seen tremendous feedbacks not only from the previous beneficiaries, but also, from the WEE-NORTH project management. As such, EISD was given another opportunity to train more young women, introducing the second cohort of eighteen (18) young women again for the programme. Their training started off on Monday 23rd October, 2023. They were taken through the above mentioned sessions, which were tailor-made to ensure that young women are able to appreciate the market niche and take full advantage of the niche. Their understanding of the product, site preparation, estimations and costing as well as the financial benefits of the products, both vinyl and artificial grass, is remarkable.

As part of the Training programme and design, all eighteen young women were provided with Start-up packs just like their predecessors, to enable them better learn their craft and be ready to be independent tradeswomen after graduation. They had a number of empowerment sessions to enable them to have a good appreciation of the gender issues at stake and know they can thrive in male-dominated trades. They were also taken through a number of soft skills training sessions to equip them with the essential tools to make a difference along their professional journeys.

This was followed by the 360 Degree Industrial Attachment. The 360 Degree Industrial Attachment aimed to provide young girls with a practical glimpse into their future post-training. This phase followed their empowerment program and allowed them to put their acquired knowledge into practice. It commenced with marketing Vinyl Tiles and Artificial Grass in Tamale’s Central Business District, extending to engaging with people on the main streets. Regular review sessions were conducted to evaluate the outcomes and lessons learned from these interactions with the public and potential businesses.

Additional field visits focused on proper site preparation before product installation then followed. To complete the experience, participants conducted further field visits in their home regions, scouting potential clients and intensifying the marketing efforts for Vinyl and Artificial Grass.

More practical sessions followed during the last fortnight of the 12-week programme. The trainees dedicated themselves to further refining their installation skills for Vinyl and Artificial Grass. With several clients having already commissioned installation projects, this period provided an excellent opportunity for these women to showcase their craftsmanship. In total, each young woman successfully completed installations covering no less than 100 square meters of Vinyl Tiles and a portion of artificial grass. This intensive practice allowed them to sharpen and firm-up their abilities in estimating, executing installations, achieving impeccable finishes, and delivering exceptional customer service.

THE WAY FORWARD

At EISD, we are very particular about each of the young women and we are happy to have a 100% job placement rate. We would have

• Four (4) of them managing our Wa Showroom in the Upper West region and handling all installation services required.

• One (1) of them managing our Bolga Showroom in the Upper East region and handling all installation services required.

• Five (5) in Tamale managing our Showroom and handling all installations required.

• Four (4) in Gushegu managing our Showroom and handling all installations required.

• One (1) in Yendi managing our Showroom and handling all installations required.

• Three (3) in Salaga managing our Showroom and handling all installations required.

We are proud to say that the 12-week Training Programme has been a transformative journey for these young women, offering them valuable insights into self-discovery, teamwork, self-reliance, and self-belief. Beyond acquiring essential skills that empower them to achieve financial independence, just as their seniors, they have emerged as shining beacons of inspiration for numerous other young women aspiring to thrive in traditionally male-dominated trades.

WEE-NORTH

We are grateful to WEE-NORTH for financing this project. WEE-NORTH is a five-year (2020-2025) project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Alinea Foundation in Northern Ghana. We are equally grateful to Modern Floors Ghana for providing the technical know-how.

The young women have the world at their feet, and it behoves on all of us to support them. Their journey has only just begun.

EISD Street Accounting Stakeholder Engagement _ eisdgh.org

EISD Street Accounting Stakeholder Engagement

by NEWSRESEARCHSTAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

In order to gain a deeper understanding of how Business Development Services can enhance the performance, competitiveness, and growth of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), EISD organized a stakeholder engagement event focused on STREET ACCOUNTING PROJECT.

Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in improving the quality of life in our communities.

This event took place at our Success Space on the 18th of January 2023.

The engagement was led by Mr. Bilal Taimako Shamsudeen, our director of Business Development.

During this discussion, the effectiveness of the ecosystem, the challenges faced, and the potential solutions were all key points of focus.

Photos

Below are photographs taken from the event

EISD Artisan Stakeholder Engagement

EISD Artisan Stakeholder Engagement

by RESEARCHSTAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

The skilled craftsmen in Ghana, both in the Northern region and elsewhere, have made a significant impact on the country’s history of crafting excellence. Through their trades, they have not only contributed greatly to the economy but also added to the vibrant cultural heritage of the nation.

The objective of this dialogue was to engage with artisans as part of EISD’s ARTISAN EMPOWERMENT PROJECT and gain insights into their views on the effectiveness of the artisan community specifically in the Northern region. We aimed to delve into the challenges they encounter and identify potential remedies to address these issues.

Photos

Below are snaps from the conversations ably led by our Director of Business Development, Mr. Bilal Taimako Shamsudeen on the 17th of January 2024 at our Success Space.

 

EISD EduPreneur Ecosystem Study_ Roundtable Discussion

EISD EduPreneur Ecosystem Study: Stakeholders Roundtable Discussion

by RESEARCHSTAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

As part of EISD’s Edupreneur Ecosystem study, a round table discussion was held with various entrepreneurs in education as well as other stakeholders to understand the effectiveness of existing Edupreneur Ecosystem, discuss challenges and constraints encountered by entrepreneurs in education, and to design appropriate and tailor made interventions to enrich the edupreneur ecosystem.

The discussions were very insightful and fruitful. Divergent views were received from various participants. This exercise feeds into the general discussion on the ecosystem and will lead to higher level engagements and possible interventions.

Photos

EISD-NEIP Sustainable Acceleration Programme Phase II – Success Degree Onboarding & Year long coaching & mentoring

EISD-NEIP Sustainable Acceleration Programme Phase II – Success Degree Onboarding & Year long coaching & mentoring.

by NEWSSustainable E-Hub

The EISD-NEIP Sustainable Acceleration Programme is aims to support the development of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Northern Region of Ghana. It is part of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) Hubs Acceleration Grant Programme (HAGP), which is under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project. The program has been implemented since its launch on 27th June 2023.

After a rigorous selection process, twenty finalists were selected from across the various districts in the Northern Region of Ghana. Of the twenty finalists, 50% of all participants were female and the remaining 50% were male. Four finalists were from the Eastern Zone, Yendi and its environs, two were from the Western Zone, Tolon and its environs, and the remaining fourteen were from the Central Zone, Tamale and its environs. The participants were from various business sectors including recycling and waste management, light manufacturing, beauty and cosmetology, events management, agroprocessing, clothing and textiles, software development, e-commerce, among others.

The first phase of the EISD – Sustainable Acceleration Programme [E-SAP] involved 13 sessions, including “Understanding your Business Environment,” “Driving Change in your Organization,” “Improving Productivity Through Communication,” “HR Systems and Practices for Better Workplace Management,” “Workplace Improvements through 5S,” “Enhancing Productivity through Lean Management,” “Essential Soft skills,” “Marketing, Sales, Customer Service,” “Safety at Work,” “Financing your Business,” “Managing Quality for Productivity Improvement,” “Pitching your business,” “Financing Models,” “Equity vrs Owner financing schemes,” “Forming and joining Networks and partnerships ‘dos & donts’,” and “Productivity through Cleaner Production.”

The second phase of the E-SAP involved onboarding all twenty beneficiaries onto the I Am Worth It Project (IAWIP) Success Degree Program on Wednesday, 13th December, 2023. This program provides year-long coaching and mentoring to the beneficiaries .

 

All twenty finalists expressed their appreciation to NEIP, the Ministry of Finance, and the World Bank for enabling this program. The acceleration experience has provided them with a new learning process, which has better positioned them to witness sustainable growth in their enterprises.” 

Photos

EISD -NEIP StartUp Acceleration Prog._ BeneficiariesTraining & IAWIP Success Program Onboarding

EISD -NEIP Startup Acceleration Prog.: Beneficiaries Training & IAWIP Success Program Onboarding

by NEWSSustainable E-HubTraining

Intro

The EISD-NEIP Start Up Acceleration Support Programme is under the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme – NEIP Hubs Acceleration Grant Programme (HAGP), under Ghana Economic Transformation Project.

We have been implementing the programme since its launch on 27th June 2023.

The beneficiaries of the programme are about to go through another step in the training cycle.

Success

On the 13th of December 2023, beneficiaries will go through soft skills training and onboarding onto the IAWIP Success Degree Program for one year post training support.

As a new partner of EISD the I Am Worth It Project (IAWIP) joins as training partner.

  1. The IAWIP (I AM Worth It Project) Success Degree Program include the following
  2. Monthly LIVE business training on mindset and personal development and business growth
  3. Mentorship
  4. Access to the IAWIP signature Program App
  5. Exclusive Membership to the IAWI Success Community
  6. Goal tracking
  7. The Daily Success Practice
  8. Experts Calendar

Meet Tammy

Tammy Sherger will be our lead resource person for essential soft skills training.

Edugha Institute for Social Development (EISD) Signs Mou with Renowned Canadian Firm The I Am Worth It Project (IAWIP)

EISD Signs MOU with Renowned Canadian Firm The, I Am Worth It Project

by NEWS

As part of the EISD-NEIP Hub Acceleration Program, EISD has signed an MoU with a world leading provider of mindset, critical soft skills, innovative business skills and personal development training firm, the I Am Worth It Project (IAWIP). The IAWIP is to provide tailor made training solutions to EISD staff, partners, and clients.

The purpose of the MOU is to establish collaborative relations between EISD and the IAWIP in the area of mindset, personal development, and critical soft skills training to increase the personal and economic empowerment of beneficiaries and other stakeholders affiliated to the EISD by embedding IAWIP essential soft skills training solution into the current and future entrepreneurial training program/s of EISD.

As part of the MOU, IAWIP shall

  1. Establish and customize specialized essential soft skills training programs for beneficiaries of EISD to help improve their productivity and work output.
  2. Provide its customized Success Degree Program™ to beneficiaries of EISD to help improve their employability prospects.
  3. Provide specialized post training support to beneficiaries to help assist them to develop habits of success.
  4. Support, participate, showcase and share information on EISD services and activities that align with IAWIP’s brand worldwide.

EISD on the other hand shall

  1. Make the training Programs of IAWIP available to its beneficiaries.
  2. Participate and partner in relevant events, forums, panel discussions and information sharing in the mission of the IAWIP.
  3. Provide business development services for IAWIP in Africa

Tammy Sherger, the Founder and CEO of IAWIP, on her part said through engagements with relevant stakeholders in Ghana especially the government and its partners, it has become clear that the solution to unemployment and business growth is not only the required hard skills, but the underlying mindset, personal development and critical soft skills that do not usually form part of the educational and other training programs. She reechoed that globally there has been a shift in recognizing the importance of mindset, personal development, and critical soft skills training to support people to successfully become thriving entrepreneurs. IAWIP has developed a strategy to reach out to all beneficiaries of EISD through the I Am Worth It Project Coaching App.

She added that unlike other soft skills providers, IAWIP offers a 1-year post training support that is essential to inculcate the habits that are learned during the training, could track KPI’s and finally has a component of the Experts Calendar where a carefully curated calendar of experts provide specific and targeted training to identified areas to support beneficiaries ongoing growth and success.

Signing the MOU, the CEO of EISD, Mahadi Alhassan indicated that the collaboration with IAWIP is timely since his organization is currently looking at more innovative ways of increasing employability and business growth of their clients and beneficiaries. Mahadi concluded his remarks by saying the collaboration was going to lead to win-win situations for both organizations. He assured IAWIP that EISD will make all reasonable efforts to fulfill its part of the bargain in Ghana and across the African continent. He urged IAWIP to do the same.

EISD Facilitates Gender Audit of Trade Assoc. in Northern Ghana for the Alinea Foundation-eisdgh.org

EISD Facilitates Gender Audit of Trade Assoc. in Northern Ghana for the Alinea Foundation

by NEWSRESEARCH
  • Our Research Team has completed a fact-finding mission delegated by the Alinea Foundation.
  • The objective was to carry out a Gender Audit of Trade Associations in Northern Ghana.

Read

Below is as captioned by the WEE-North Project of the Alinea Foundation after a validation workshop to outdoor the findings of the research.

Over 120 industry partners of Alinea Foundation and members of 30 Industrial Trades Associations and in Northern Ghana participated a unique set of workshops in Bolgatanga, Tamale, and Wa from 23rd to 26th October 2023. The workshop aimed to validate the first ever Gender Audit on trades associations in Northern Ghana and promote international best practices for gender-responsive industries. This workshop under the theme "Audit to Action" was facilitated by the Edugha Institute for Social Development (EISD). Following thought-provoking breakout sessions, each trade area within the five regions competed by pitching their ideas to promote gender mainstreaming. A panel of judges from Alinea Foundation's regional Project Advisor Committee (PAC) assessed these initiatives and awarded cash prizes for the best initiatives. The winners from each region were awarded GHS 3,000.00, while the first runner-up received GHS 2,000.00 to start their gender-responsive activities. Additionally, certificates of appreciation were presented to industry partners who provided Workplace Experience Learning opportunities for trainees by the Field Manger, Dr Nancy M. Drost. Participants emphasized the workshop's positive impact on their professional and personal development. They reaffirmed their dedication to supporting the WEE-North project.

EISD Facilitates Gender Audit of Trade Assoc. in Northern Ghana for the Alinea Foundation-eisdgh.org
EISD Facilitates Gender Audit of Trade Assoc. in Northern Ghana for the Alinea Foundation-eisdgh.org1
EISD Facilitates Gender Audit of Trade Assoc. in Northern Ghana for the Alinea Foundation-eisdgh.org2
EISD Facilitates Gender Audit of Trade Assoc. in Northern Ghana for the Alinea Foundation-eisdgh.org4

We would like to thank the Alinea Foundation (under the WEE-North Project) for the opportunity to have undertaken this task.