The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in partnership with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), has hosted Ghana’s inaugural Inclusive Business and Inclusive Green Business (IB/IGB) Forum in Accra.
The event, funded by German Cooperation through GIZ’s Support to the Private and Financial Sector Programme, marks a milestone in advancing sustainable business practices aimed at addressing Ghana’s economic, social, and environmental challenges.
The IB/IGB initiative screened over 300 companies, identifying 15 that met inclusive and green business criteria, positively impacting more than 1.8 million low-income individuals.
The study engaged over 200 stakeholders, offering a roadmap for business models that uplift income and living standards while addressing environmental issues.
At the forum, GIZ Ghana Country Director, Dr. Dirk Assmann, emphasized the importance of creating a framework for sustainable growth.
“This initiative is not just about identifying innovative business models; it aims to create a sustainable framework that empowers communities, enhances livelihoods, and protects the environment.”
Key outcomes of the forum include a commitment from public and private sectors to support IB/IGB initiatives, discussions on innovative financing solutions through a Risk Reduction and Social Innovation Fund, and a focus on women’s empowerment, with a projection that 40% of IB/IGB businesses will be women-led by 2026.
The forum also introduced a series of seminars on the Impact-Driven Return Business Coaching and Mentoring (IDR-BCM) program, which will provide technical support to businesses implementing IB/IGB models.
This collaborative effort marks the beginning of a strategic push toward a greener, more inclusive economy in Ghana. GIZ, along with GEA and AGI, will continue working with stakeholders to establish an institutional framework to drive these sustainable business practices, ensuring long-term growth and resilience for Ghana’s economy.
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