Team Leader: Agro-Inputs Initiative – Entrepid Project Solutions/Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd (2011-2013)
In partnership with Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd, implemented an agricultural value chain project across the Ghana which was a multi-year agricultural input credit project designed to improve the welfare of farmers through increase in productivity and incomes. The project trained cocoa farmer groups in business skills and agronomic practices, mapped beneficiary farms using GPS and mentored several hundred cocoa farmers in the Western (North), Brong Ahafo, and Ashanti regions and facilitated a total cocoa input credit totaling USD $500,000 from 2011 – 2013.
Team Leader: Tano-Suraw Agricultural Growth Initiative- TechnoServe; Lundin For Africa Foundation; Kinross Mining; Chirano Goldmine Ltd (2010-2013)
The goal of the program was to enable 1,500 farmers within the mining concession of Kinross Chirano Gold mine in Ghana double their incomes through improved market access, enhanced agricultural productivity and acquire commercial and technical skills. Objectives included developing and strengthening farmers‘ marketing capacities and opportunities; increase farmers‘ agricultural incomes through agricultural productivity growth; improve farmers‘ access to credit for productive agricultural purposes and develop efficient and effective FBOs that adapt to dynamic market opportunities.
Some activities included training of farmers and FBO leaders in marketing and facilitating market linkages for farmers, training farmers in basic business skills, including modules such as leadership and conflict resolution. Agronomic training using demonstration farms was implemented. Total input loans leveraged from Opportunity Savings and Loans Ltd to TAGI beneficiaries at the end of the project was US$ 300,000.00 with recovery at 95%.
The average gross margin per farmer was 65% over the period. Cumulatively, cocoa yields increased by over 200% with a corresponding increase of over 190% in average incomes per hectare for the beneficiary farmers.
Research Consultant: Business Capacity Assessment of Local Suppliers- Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd, Ahafo Mine (2011)
The objectives of the assessment was to determine the status of local suppliers after the end of the Ahafo Linkages Program, with emphasis on strengths and weaknesses, paying attention to implementation of the recommended interventions under the ALP-LSD. It was also to assess the growth or otherwise of businesses that were not mentored under the ALP and also to support the Local Contractors and Suppliers Department of the Ahafo mine of NGGL to remove non-performing businesses in their MSME database. Another objective was to make specific recommendations that, based on the results of the assessment, will provide a framework for further development of selected businesses after the closure of the ALP and as a means of further promoting the gains of the ALP.
Methodology employed included a the application of a business diagnostics questionnaire, direct interviewing and the application of a star categorisation tool using specific evaluation criteria and weighted scores to determine the performance rating of each business.
Team Leader (TechnoServe): Ahafo Linkages Project Local Suppliers Development Component, International Finance Corporation/Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd. (2007-2010)
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) developed the Ahafo Linkages Program (ALP), to maximize opportunities of local SMEs within the 13 communities around the NGGL Ahafo mine and to seek ways to increase incomes through specific support for local businesses to participate in the supply chain of the mine and to seek ways of generating other income opportunities. The program had two components:
- Local Supplier Development Component
- Local Economic Development Component
The Local Supplier Development Component (LSD) of Ahafo Linkages program was to ―support the development of local businesses as potential suppliers and providers of goods and services to the mine, and ultimately to other local and foreign mining and non-mining companies in Ghana‖. TechnoServe was chosen as the implementing partner of the LSD and started the program in October 2007. Specific outputs included conducting a screening exercise, business diagnostics, and development of business improvement plans and provision of technical assistance.
At the end of the program 42 businesses had been successfully mentored generating total sales of US$ 12,934,453.11 and employing a total number of 137 persons and paying US$ 303,244.37, in salaries. The business accessed an amount of US$ 495,973.94 from financial institutions.
Team Leader (TechnoServe): Ahafo Linkages Project, Local Economic Development Component, International Finance Corporation; Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd. (2007-2010)
The Local Economic Development (LED) component of the ALP was to support the development of local non-mining businesses to help develop a diversified local economy outside of the mining sector by maximizing opportunities for local micro, small and medium scale enterprises. The ALP was implemented for 32 months; from October 2007 to May 2010. TechnoServe Ghana was selected as consultant to carry out the implementation of the combined Local Supplier Development (LSD) and Local Economic Development (LED) components.
At the end of the program 44 businesses had been successfully mentored, generating sales of GH¢1,822,178.00 and employing a total number of 71 persons. The businesses accessed an amount of GH¢ 116,191.00 from financial institutions in the program area.
Research Consultant: United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP) Iodine Initiative Project (2008).
The World Food Programme (WFP) in 2003 embarked on an iodine initiative project to increase the availability and supply of iodated salt to vulnerable populations in Ghana, especially in the northern regions of Ghana. Part of the project approach was to develop and implement programs that will build the capacity of selected small and medium scale enterprises (SME‘s) engaged in salt production, cottage producer groups and community based women‘s groups.
Part of the project approach was to develop and implement programs that will build the capacity of selected small and medium scale enterprises (SME‘s) engaged in salt production.
A business capacity building program for two salt producers, the program had two components – Business Training and Technical Assistance. The business training covered modules such as Entrepreneurship, Costing and Pricing, Business Planning, Business Accounting, and Business Finance. Technical assistance covered the production areas such as preparation of production plan and production budgets, brine management, structure of the labour force and remuneration.
Capacity Development Consultant: United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP)/TechnoServe Iodine Initiative Project 1. (2007). Partners: Micronutrient Initiative, UNICEF and Presidential Special Initiative on Salt (Ghana).
Objectives of the project was to promote efficient business and salt iodization practices among small, medium and cottage scale salt producers in Ghana and increase production of iodised salt by 25,000 MT per year. The overall goal was to contribute to the achievement of USI as a strategy adopted by the Government of Ghana to control/eliminate IDD by 2010 The project sought to build the capacity of the salt industry to produce and assure the quality of iodized salt by providing technical and business assistance to selected salt producers to build their capacity to produce and market 100% iodised salt. It also sought to develop and strengthen the capacity of three (3) Women‘s groups in UNWFP-assisted communities in Northern Ghana to repackage and sell iodized salt in smaller, more affordable units to increase the use of iodized salt among households.
Project components
- Strengthening the capacity of the salt industry
- Strengthening business/marketing capacity of 2 SMEs, 1 cottage cluster salt producer and 3 women‘s groups in Northern Ghana
- Social mobilization, advocacy and communication to promote public awareness of and acceptance of Universal Salt Iodisation
Outputs Included:
- Develop and pilot business models for sustainable improvements in the supply and distribution of iodated salt
- Create sustainable market linkage for distribution of iodated salt for women‘s groups in the north
- Increase production of iodated salt by 25,000 MT per annum
- Develop a distribution chain for 3 women‘s groups in northern Ghana to repackage and distribute iodated salt at the community level
- Develop distribution and marketing capacity of 3 women‘s groups in Northern Ghana
- Increase awareness about the benefits of consuming iodised salt