Accra, Jan. 24, GNA- Dislabelled, a social enterprise with a focus on improving the lives of persons with disability (PWDs) is set to roll out a support programme for PWDs small business owners, as part of efforts to increase their economic power.
Dubbed: « The Small Business Accelerator programme, » it is expected to provide direct and holistic support to the selected beneficiaries by giving them access to business resources like coaching, mentorship, and funding, to help revive and grow their ventures from the devastating effects of COVID-19.
Scheduled to commence in March 2021, the programme is being organized in collaboration with Pitch Hub.
Madam Efua Asibon, Co-Founder of Dislabelled who disclosed this to the media said it formed part of the NGO’s drive to empower its community and provide a buffer to more vulnerable businesses.
She said this dedicated and tailored support would guide selected businesses back on track, help unlock growth potential and provide a much-needed push for them.
“It will also equip participants with the knowledge on how to transition to mobile-based and remote businesses that can succeed in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business climate – a recipe for long-term success, » she added.
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed numerous threats to the operations and financial sustainability of many businesses and resulted in dire economic consequences.
According to a recent COVID-19 Business Survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank, the shock caused by the pandemic has had considerable impacts on Ghanaian businesses causing 36 per cent of firms to close during the partial lockdown with 16 per cent continuing to be closed after the lockdown.
Madam Asibon explained that the programme would include group workshops, access to funding, access to relevant networks, and in-depth one-on-one coaching and mentorship.
« The sessions will include a wide array of topics such operational excellence, finance and bookkeeping, marketing strategy, business model review (capacity building, customer expansion), and personal branding and development, » she said.
Madam Aurelia Abena Attipoe, Founder of Pitch Hub on her part said the project was in line with their focus on providing business support for marginalized groups in Ghana.
« We are optimistic that beneficiaries will be empowered with the right skills needed to build and sustain resilient businesses, » she said.
She urged all eligible businesses to take advantage of this opportunity to enable them to thrive amid the pandemic.
Dislabelled is a social enterprise aimed at providing career and academic development opportunities to increase the economic power of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Africa.
Pitch Hub, on the other hand, is an organization that equips young entrepreneurs in Ghana with business management skills, to create a Small Business Accelerator Programme for business owners living with disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana.
