General

Entrepreneurship is often associated with individualism, risk-taking, and innovation in today’s fast-paced world. While these traits are undoubtedly essential for any successful venture, the critical role of the community in fostering entrepreneurial success must be considered.  In reflecting on the recent MIG Business Forum and the exciting initiatives discussed, we want to emphasize the importance of community and extend a humble call to action for everyone to contribute to and benefit from a collaborative, entrepreneurial ecosystem that will be enhanced as we continue to surge forward. COMMUNITY SERVES AS THE BACKBONE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR SEVERAL REASONS.  A Strong Support System One of the primary reasons community is integral to entrepreneurial success is the support system it provides. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely and challenging journey with setbacks and uncertainties. A robust community allows entrepreneurs to share their experiences, learn from one another, and pool resources to tackle challenges. Celebrating Victories Together A supportive community helps entrepreneurs face challenges and celebrates their victories, both big and small. This celebration of success motivates and inspires entrepreneurs, fuelling their passion and drive for their ventures. Additionally, it fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie, reminding entrepreneurs that they are not alone on their journey. Collaboration and Collective Wisdom Another key benefit of a robust entrepreneurial community is the opportunity for collaboration and the pooling of collective wisdom. Entrepreneurs who are part of a community can tap into their fellow members’ diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives, generating new ideas and finding innovative solutions to problems. Collaboration can also lead to strategic partnerships, helping businesses to grow and expand their reach. Embracing Diversity and Inclusivity Diversity and inclusivity are vital components of a community-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem. We create a dynamic environment that encourages creativity and positive change by welcoming individuals from different backgrounds, industries, and perspectives. A diverse community generates new ideas, challenges established paradigms, and leads to unique solutions that cater to a broader audience. The Ripple Effect of a Supportive Community The positive impact of a strong community extends far beyond the entrepreneurs themselves. By fostering an environment where entrepreneurship can flourish, communities can experience significant economic growth and job creation. Moreover, a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem can inspire future generations, instilling a culture of innovation and ambition that spans generations. UNLEASHING THE POTENTIAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP: KEY INITIATIVES FROM THE MIG BUSINESS FORUM The recent MIG Business Forum showcased a range of initiatives designed to harness the power of the community and propel entrepreneurship forward. These are the Soya Beans & Agro-Commodities Project, the Useful Affordable Education Drive in partnership with KNUST-AISWAM, the Community Insurance Project in collaboration with Cosmopolitan Health Insurance, activating the Ghanaian Bamboo Industry with a ready market and processing capacity, and the Maxwell Homes Project.  By focusing on innovation, education, skill development, wealth via health, and sustainability, these initiatives have the potential to transform the entrepreneurial landscape and create lasting, positive change in our communities. One key initiative discussed at the Forum was the establishment of collaborative economic clusters for entrepreneurs to work, network, and share ideas, suggested by world-renowned Economist Naa Dr Alhassan Andani. He is a former Director/CEO of Stanbic Bank Ghana and enskinned as the chief of Pishigu in the Northern Region of Ghana.  These economic clusters can act as incubators for innovation, helping entrepreneurs bring new concepts to life and fostering a culture of creativity within the community. By providing resources, guidance, and support, these spaces can also help entrepreneurs overcome the challenges they may face in the early stages of their ventures. Yet another vital aspect of the Forum’s initiatives was the emphasis on education and skill development. By educational courses from KNUST that are useful, affordable and productive, these programs will be tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and the community and ensure that its members have access to the knowledge and skills required for success in the ever-evolving business landscape. In addition, this focus on education empowers individual entrepreneurs and contributes to the community’s overall competitiveness and resilience. This is why all those that complete the courses under this Project will receive a KNUST-accredited certificate, signed by the Vice Chancellor, giving course participants a competitive edge in the job markets. Sustainability was another central theme at the MIG  Business Forum, with several projects aiming to create environmentally friendly and socially responsible business opportunities. By encouraging the development of sustainable enterprises, the community can contribute to long-term economic growth and environmental stewardship. In addition, these initiatives can also promote inclusive growth by ensuring that benefits are distributed equitably among community members, regardless of their socioeconomic background. To guarantee the success of these initiatives, we must all play our part in supporting and participating in them. By working together, we can create a vibrant, thriving entrepreneurial community that drives positive change and delivers lasting benefits for all its members. You can see pictures and complete coverage of the recent MIG Business Forum here; www.bit.ly/MBFv1 CALL TO ACTION: CONTRIBUTING TO A COLLABORATIVE ECOSYSTEM The initiatives discussed at the recent MIG Business Forum exemplify how community collaboration can advance entrepreneurship. To ensure the success of these initiatives, we all must take an active role in supporting and participating in them.  Here are some ways you can contribute to a collaborative, entrepreneurial ecosystem: THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF COMMUNITY COLLABORATION Embracing the power of community is essential for realizing the full potential of entrepreneurship. This often-underappreciated aspect is critical in fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive ecosystem, contributing to entrepreneurial success.  By working collaboratively and engaging in shared initiatives, we can create lasting, meaningful change in the lives of many individuals. Now is the time to seize this opportunity, transforming our collective vision into reality and stepping forward with a unified purpose. By doing so, we can significantly impact our society, economy, and the world at large. I hope you found this article insightful and enjoyable. Subscribe to the ‘Entrepreneur In You’ newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/d-hgCVPy.  I wish you a highly productive and successful week ahead!  ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and

In Africa’s challenging and dynamic business environment, success can be hard to come by. The continent is home to a diverse array of markets and economies, each with its own unique opportunities and obstacles. To thrive in this environment, businesses need to be agile, innovative, and laser-focused on results. Yet, too often, businesses in Africa prioritize ideas over performance – chasing after the latest trends and buzzwords instead of focusing on the fundamentals that drive success.  In this article, I hope to explore why it is so important for African businesses to prioritize performance over ideas, and outline some strategies for making this happen. By doing so, businesses in Africa can overcome the challenges they face and achieve long-term success. African Businesses Can Achieve Results That Matter In today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment, having great ideas is not enough. To truly succeed, businesses need to focus on performance, which involves executing on those ideas. This is particularly important in Africa, where the business landscape can be challenging and success requires a combination of innovation and effective execution. There are several reasons why performance is more important than ideas. First and foremost, performance is what separates successful businesses from those that fail. According to a study by Harvard Business School, high-performing companies consistently outperformed their competitors in terms of profitability, growth, and customer satisfaction (Davenport et al., 2010). This suggests that while having innovative ideas is important, it is the ability to execute on those ideas that ultimately drives success. In Africa, where the business environment can be challenging, performance is even more critical. Businesses operating in Africa face a range of obstacles, including limited infrastructure, regulatory barriers, and political instability. In this context, the ability to perform effectively is essential to achieving long-term success. Furthermore, focusing on performance is what builds credibility and trust with customers and other stakeholders. In Africa, trust is a particularly vital component of business relationships.  According to a survey by PwC, trust is the top factor influencing customer loyalty in Africa, with 73% of respondents citing it as a key driver of their purchasing decisions (PwC, 2018). By delivering consistent, high-quality results, businesses can build trust and earn the respect of their customers, which can help them to achieve even greater success in the long run. In addition, performance is what drives innovation and growth. When businesses focus on performance, they are forced to find ways to improve their processes, products, or services continually. This drive to innovate is what sets successful businesses apart from their competition and helps them stay ahead in the long run. In Africa, where innovation is essential for economic growth and development, the ability to perform effectively is particularly important. Several studies support the idea that performance is more important than ideas for driving innovation and growth. According to a study by the University of California, Berkeley, high-performing companies are more likely to invest in research and development, leading to more innovative products and services (Folta et al., 2010).  Similarly, research by the African Development Bank found that the most successful African businesses are those that are able to innovate and adapt to changing market conditions (African Development Bank, 2019). Let us explore some strategies that businesses can use to prioritize performance and achieve better results. Strategies for Prioritizing Performance in African Businesses While it’s clear that prioritizing performance over ideas is important for achieving success in Africa’s challenging business environment, it can be difficult to know how to make this happen in practice. Here are some strategies that businesses can use to prioritize performance and achieve better results: In conclusion, prioritizing performance over ideas is essential for businesses to achieve long-term success, particularly in the challenging business environment of Africa. By focusing on performance, businesses can differentiate themselves from their competition, build credibility and trust with their customers and other stakeholders, and drive innovation and growth.  By setting clear goals and metrics, focusing on efficiency and process improvement, investing in training and development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and collaborating with partners and stakeholders, businesses can prioritize performance and achieve better results.  Ultimately, businesses that prioritize performance will be better equipped to overcome the challenges of the African business environment and achieve long-term success. ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ References African Development Bank. (2019). African Economic Outlook 2019: Macroeconomic Performance and Prospects. https://www.afdb.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/2019AEO_full-report_En.pdf Davenport, T. H., Harris, J. G., & Morison, R. (2010). Analytics at Work: Smarter Decisions, Better Results. Harvard Business Press. Folta, T. B., Delmar, F., & Wennberg, K. (2010). Hybrid entrepreneurship. Management Science, 56(2), 253-269.  PwC. (2018). Winning in Africa’s consumer market: A transforming landscape. https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/ind ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ I hope you found this article insightful and enjoyable. Subscribe to the ‘Entrepreneur In You’ newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/d-hgCVPy.  I wish you a highly productive and successful week ahead!  ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, Dr. Maxwell Ampong, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or beliefs of Maxwell Investments Group or any of its affiliates. Any references to policy or regulation reflect the author’s interpretation and are not intended to represent the formal stance of Maxwell Investments Group. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Readers should seek independent advice before making any decisions based on this material. Maxwell Investments Group assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided.

Disability is a natural occurrence. It comes from the interplay of several environmental and individual factors with health disorders. The definition of “disability” and who can be considered a “disabled” person has been a sensitive topic. Persons with disabilities (PWDs) is a general phrase that refers to those who, in comparison to people without disabilities, have some sort of functional limitation and may consequently require or utilize an assistive device in order to accomplish daily activities. That said, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) however, defines people with disabilities as “include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which in combination with various barriers may prevent their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”. In Ghana, according to Ghana’s Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), a person with a disability is defined as “an individual who has a physical, mental, or sensory impairment, including a functional disability of the visual, hearing, or speech that results in physical, cultural, or social barriers that substantially limit one or more of that individual’s major life activities” (p.17). People with disabilities are among the most vulnerable members of their communities all across the world. Thus, according to a WHO; UN (2022) report, 16% of the world’s population, or 1.3 billion individuals, are thought to have a major disability: a majority of whom live in developing countries (World Health Organization, 2011). In Africa, for instance, 80 million people are thought of as being disabled. Likewise in Ghana, data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) shows that 8% of Ghana’s population representing some 2.4 million persons have some form of disability as compared to 3% in 2010. These figures are however rising because of the rise in non-communicable diseases and longer lifespans. A wide range of characteristics, including sex, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, colour, ethnicity, and economic condition, affect the experiences of people with disabilities in their daily life as well as their health needs. People with disability typically have more limitations in daily functioning than non-disabled people, as well as a shorter lifespan; the data speaks to this. Persons with disabilities have twice the risk of developing conditions such as depression, asthma, diabetes, stroke, obesity or poor oral health. Inaccessible health facilities are up to 6 times more difficult for persons with disabilities. Accessible and affordable transportation is 15 times more difficult to find for people with disabilities than it is for those without impairments.  Health disparities are also caused by unjust circumstances that affect people with disabilities, such as stigma, discrimination, poverty, exclusion from work and education, and obstacles within the healthcare system. That said, in Ghana, having a disability and households that have a person with a disability experience poverty at more than 10% of the rate of other households. Thus far, the world has fought and advocated so hard for the inclusion of people with disabilities needs in national policies and programs. Despite this considerable lobbying, persons with disabilities continue to face employment and other types of discrimination (Kassah et al., 2004).  In Ghana, when the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) was eventually approved by the Ghanaian Parliament in June 2006, many stakeholders, including persons with disability (PWDs), welcomed it with open arms. PWDs in Ghana were among the fortunate few at the time because the majority of African nations lacked specific disability legislation. This was a dream come true, especially for PWDs in Ghana, giving the long battle that the Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) and other civil society organizations waged to convince the Ghanaian Parliament to pass legislation to implement the provisions of Article 29 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The passing of the Act was regarded as a significant turning point in the nation’s human rights debate since it gave rise to the expectation that it would enhance the lives of PWDs and make it possible for them to integrate into society more fully (Oduro, 2009; Eleweke, 2013). The Act covers a variety of topics, including the establishment and duties of a National Council on Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), rights, accessibility, employment, education, transportation, and health care for PWDs. It also contains a few other provisions. Mitra et al., (2013) discovered that the reasons why persons with disabilities experience disproportionately high rates of poverty include their exclusion from formal and informal education, basic health care, employment, political, and legal processes. As a result, such persons are left with poorer health, fewer marketable skills, reduced self-esteem, and a lack of ability to stand up for their rights (Opoku, Mprah, Dogbe, et al., 2017; Yeo & Moore, 2003).  On a similar note, having a disability is frequently associated with stigma. In Ghana, many families keep disabled relatives hidden from their neighbours within their homes. This is because, disabilities in Ghana have historically been thought to be the result of sorcery, curses, atonement for sins committed against the gods or ancestors, witchcraft, magic, or “juju.” These ideas lead to conflicting attitudes toward disabled people in traditional communities. This restricts how Ghanaian people with disabilities can interact with society. Disabled persons have a quota to the national agenda.  The world over, people with disabilities deserve their fair share. It is a human rights issue with respect to non-discrimination. Take this for instance: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) specifies in its Article 26 that “All individuals are equal before the law and are entitled to the equal protection of the law without any discrimination.”  In this regard, the law must forbid all forms of discrimination and ensure that everyone has access to equal and effective protection from discrimination based on any factor, including race, colour, sex, language, religion, political opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or another status. Additionally, Article 15 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights states that “Everyone shall have the right to work under just and acceptable conditions and shall be