Kumasi: Mr. George Twum-Barima-Adu, an independent presidential candidate in Ghana’s upcoming December 7 elections, is preparing to launch an innovative industrialisation strategy aimed at bolstering Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) across the country. This initiative, known as the Small and Medium Industries Development Organisation (SMIDO), represents a comprehensive policy framework designed specifically for the Suame Magazine and the artisanal engineering sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, the SMIDO model will be introduced by Mr. Nyaaba-Aweeba Azongo, Twum-Barimah-Adu’s running mate and the consultant and Principal Architect of the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation. The policy seeks to redefine Ghana’s industrial development as a phased process focused on the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), moving away from the unsustainable practices that have persisted since the country’s independence.
Mr. Azongo, in an interview in Kumasi, emphasized the commitm
ent of the George-Twum-Barimah-Adu-Azongo ticket to foster industrial growth across all regions of Ghana if elected. He echoed the insights of Professor Keijiro Otsuka, an esteemed International Industrial Development Specialist, who advocated for the focus on simple, labor-intensive industries such as garment, shoe, weaving, metalwork, and simple machinery to spur industrialisation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Regional SMIDO policy envisions the establishment of 24-hour SMEs Incubation City Enclaves, dubbed “SMIDOPolis,” in each region. These growth pole centers will be guided by three key pillars: Business Environment Development, Business Enterprise Development, and Business Entrepreneurship Development. These centers aim to integrate services and foster domestic direct investment partnerships, facilitating the progression of MSMEs from micro to multinational levels as part of Twum Barimah-Adu’s Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) policy.
Mr. Azongo highlighted the success of the SMIDO model, initially pilote
d at the Suame Magazine, in transforming the artisanal engineering industry into a modern industrial sector. He plans to expand this model nationwide as a template for MSME development in Ghana. With MSMEs comprising 92% of businesses, employing 82% of the workforce, contributing 70% to GDP, and holding 85% of manufacturing sector employment, the sector is a critical growth engine for the nation.
The SMIDO Growth Pole centers will also promote community skills, entrepreneurial, and employment development (community-SEED) programs. These programs aim to foster community wealth creation through a three-phase approach, enhancing opportunities for youth through professional development, entrepreneurial training, and employment creation. Partnerships with district assemblies, traditional leaders, and industry stakeholders, particularly in mining regions, will support alternative livelihood programs to curb youth involvement in illegal mining activities.
The Community-SEED program targets youth with limited forma
l education or those needing retraining for employment, addressing their unique needs to integrate them into the workforce and contribute to national development.