Stanbic Ghana has held a three-day forum to build the capacity of small-scale businesses in Kumasi as part of its corporate social responsibility to make the private sector viable.

Dubbed BizAIDS, the forum is a low cost training package that provides small-scale businesses with information and tools needed to thrive in the sector.

About 65 participants were taught the techniques and practical solutions of maintaining and sustaining very small businesses while the impact of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on the work environment was explained.

The forum combined training in business, issues on health and succession planning and legal skills for the small business owner in order for such persons to incorporate these skills into their business strategy at no cost to participants.

Stan Deh, Head SME Banking, Stanbic Bank, said with the majority of African businesses employed by the SME sector “the need for such training is highly desirable especially when health issues are hardly considered significant in small business circles.”

“To leave their jobs to be part of this forum is highly commendable and we hope that what has been shared with our participants will become the basis for change in running businesses at the small scale level.”

The scheme began in Southern Africa and has been a great success in encouraging the small-scale business sector to adopt modern practices in order to succeed. Another forum will be held in Accra in due course.