Ms. Suzuki Momoko, the Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ghana, has assured continued support for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises in the country.

Delivering a speech at the second edition of the National Kaizen Awards, Suzuki Momoko stated that JICA has, for the past two decades, provided support in various forms to MSMEs in the country.

Taking stock of the success of the Kaizen approach to business operations, which was birthed by JICA in 2006, Ms. Momoko observed that it now serves as the roadmap for the progress of MSMEs in the country.

Ms. Momoko assured that JICA will continue to engage relevant state institutions to provide support to MSMEs to ensure that they grow to produce goods and services that meet international standards.

“JICA has been supporting Ghana's MSME development for nearly two decades now. In 2006, we implemented 'The Study on Promotion of Development of Local Industries' together with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The study introduced the Kaizen approach to the palm oil manufacturing community in the Ashanti region.

“Through the implementation of Kaizen, the community was able to improve its productivity and the quality of the palm oil. Finally, they were able to export their oil to Germany. This is one of the first success stories we have seen through the implementation of Kaizen.

“Today, more than 384 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in seven regions (Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Northern, Central, and the Greater Accra Region) have implemented Kaizen through Ghana Enterprises,” she said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, took stock of the success of Kaizen, noting that over 100 companies have benefited from the project.

She stated that the GEA will continue to champion the adoption of the Kaizen approach as it has become a profitable and sustainable business model for Ghanaian MSMEs.

“In partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the GEA has introduced Kaizen to over 100 MSMEs across seven regions in our country. Thousands more have been trained in the principles of Kaizen through our collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation Young Africa Works Project and the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project. These initiatives have laid the foundation for a new wave of Ghanaian entrepreneurship—one that is committed to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.

“Our work has borne fruit. In 2021, despite the challenges of the pandemic, a Ghanaian enterprise, Francis Aluminum from the Ashanti Region, was recognized as the Excellent Performer at the African Kaizen Awards (AKA). Just last year, in 2023, Tiwajo Enterprise, a cosmetic producer from Amasaman, Greater Accra, won the Outstanding Small Enterprise Award at the African Kaizen Awards held in Ethiopia. These successes are an indication of the power of Kaizen and the tremendous capability of our MSMEs,” she said.

The event held at the Accra Digital Centre saw the Yedent Group of Companies, Solution Oasis Limited, and Asheba Company Limited pick up awards for distinguishing themselves in their various fields of operation.

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