13/10/2026
TWO-DAY ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING HELD FOR TRADERS AFFECTED BY THE BIG PUSH AGENDA PROJECT WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
A two-day entrepreneurship training programme was organised for existing entrepreneurs who have been affected by the road’s construction under the Big Push Agenda Project within the District.
The programme was held on Thursday 8th and Friday the 9th.
The skills training was to strengthen their understanding of entrepreneurship and improve their practical knowledge of business management and marketing, the two day programme was focused on the principles of entrepreneurship, identifying and satisfying customer needs, marketing strategies, digital marketing, billing and financial record keeping.
The trainees included mobile money vendors, caterers, general traders among others.
The DCE, Hon. Raphael Uriel Nartey, in his opening remarks welcomed the participants and encouraged them to take the training seriously. He urged them to participate actively, learn from the facilitators and make practical use of the knowledge and skills acquired. He further encouraged the participants to apply the lessons learned from the programme to develop their businesses, improve their livelihoods and contribute to sustainable change in their communities.
The two days of the programme focused on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and the practical considerations involved in establishing and managing a business. The facilitator, Ms. Rebecca Onyame, explained key entrepreneurial concepts and highlighted the importance of understanding the market, identifying business opportunities and providing products or services that meet the needs of customers.
A significant part of the session was devoted to marketing. Marketing was explained as the process of identifying, understanding and satisfying the needs of a target market while creating and delivering value.
Ms. Onyame also introduced participants to elements of a successful digital marketing strategy. These included having an engaging website, search engine optimisation (SEO), content marketing, email marketing, social media marketing and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. The discussion highlighted how these methods can help businesses improve their visibility, reach their intended audiences, communicate with customers and promote their products and services.
A case study titled “Combs and Bald Monks” was used to demonstrate the importance of understanding customer needs and adopting a thoughtful approach to selling. In the example, a store owner supplied combs to three salespersons to sell to a community of monks. One salesperson returned without selling any combs and concluded that it was impossible to sell combs to monks. Another managed to sell one comb after identifying a possible need and persuading a monk who complained of an itchy head that the comb could be useful. The case study illustrated that sales opportunities may be missed when assumptions are made about customers without first understanding their needs. It also encouraged participants to think creatively about how a product can provide value to a particular market.
The sessions further addressed business record-keeping, billing and other practical aspects of running an enterprise. Participants were introduced to the importance of keeping accurate records of business transactions, tracking income and expenditure, and maintaining relevant books to monitor business activities. Ms. Onyame also discussed marketing and billing strategies that can support effective business operations.
Participants shared personal experiences relating to their business activities, including challenges they had encountered and lessons they had learned. These contributions enriched the session by connecting the topics discussed to real-life situations and allowing participants to learn from one another.
At the conclusion of the programme, Ms. Onyame shared books with participants as additional learning materials to support their continued understanding of entrepreneurship and business management. The materials provided an opportunity for participants to revisit the topics discussed and pursue further learning beyond the training sessions. Overall, the two-day training provided participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of entrepreneurship, marketing, digital promotion and basic business management practices.
The sessions combined explanations, practical examples, a case study and the sharing of personal experiences. The increased interaction observed on the second day further supported the exchange of ideas and peer learning. Participants were encouraged to apply the knowledge gained in ways that strengthen their businesses and contribute to sustainable change, they also look forward to a more stable partnership with the Assembly.
ISD-NIPDA
09/10/2026