By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA
Accra, Dec. 18, GNA – Mr David Antwi Ofori, Head of Operations, Accra Digital Centre, has said technology hubs need to join forces and build a well-defined data driven start-up ecosystem in various categories.
He said it was important “we build categorisation of the hubs startups that will help us make a tailor-made advocacy in the country.”
Mr Ofori was speaking at the second edition of the Ghana Hubs Network Annual Gathering 2019 on the theme: “Building a Model Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, the role of ESOs” in Accra.
The Gathering was to build a stronger Network to discuss issues concerning the network, ascent to the Constitution, structure of the network and elect new executives.
It is also to showcase the network’s activities over the last years, provide a platform to promote works of member hubs and their startups.
He said that was the only way their activities could be recognised and their contributions felt by stakeholders in the country.
“We need to position ourselves well as ESOs to be able to make the needed impact we have to make,” he added.
Mr Ofori said the Accra Digital Centre was working to help resolve the challenge or barrier to access to financing to small startups with the development of the “Digital Innovation Fund.”
He said they would use the Centre as a leverage to speak to partners and local businessman to attribute their attention to contribute to the Fund dedicated only to the technology hubs.
He said the beauty of accessing this Fund was that the entrepreneurs did not suffer the same lending requirements the traditional banks would be asking for and even that interest rate.
The Operations Manager said the Centre launched the ‘Business Support Clinic’ to support the start-ups with technical expertise to enable their business stand.
“A lot of times getting the corporate governance structure of business right is critical for them to grow, otherwise you cannot scale up and especially to attract investors,” he added.
Mr Gideon Brefo, the Out-going Chairman of the Network, told the GNA that the gathering was also to get the buy-in of the network members for the Entrepreneurship bill and also working towards a set of standard measures that would enable the network to monitor and assess.
He said from a membership of 16, now the network could boast of 34 members.
He said entrepreneurship was becoming a buzzword all around the world and Ghana needed to be same.
He mentioned some vibrant ecosystem African countries, as Kenya, South Africa, Egypt and recently Rwanda.
He said surprisingly, until Ghana formed the hubs network, none of these countries were able to come together as an Association of hubs to charter the affairs of the entrepreneurship ecosystem until they did and had their gathering in 2018.
GNA
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