New marketplace seeks to digitise local firms, curb online business scams

A newly-launched digital marketplace is seeking to bring the country’s largely informal business sector online while helping to curb the rise in online business scams, its promoters have said.

Golden Dreams Events and Promotions Management said its platform, GHKonect.com, aims to digitise local businesses across the country, connect them directly with customers and improve trust in online commercial transactions through verification and reviews.

Speaking at a media briefing in Accra, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Osei Assibey, said this initiative was designed to respond to both the growing need for digital visibility among small businesses and increasing public concern about fraudulent online operators.

“GHKonect.com is intended to serve as a digital front-door for businesses in Ghana, helping consumers identify verified enterprises while giving businesses the tools to operate credibly online,” Mr. Assibey said.

Founded in 2022 and officially registered in Ghana during 2025, Golden Dreams operates in both Ghana and Belgium and focuses on technology-driven business solutions, the company said.

Mr. Assibey said the platform seeks to integrate businesses from all 16 regions onto a single, searchable directory – offering detailed business profiles, advertising options, event promotion tools, job listings and performance analytics.

Consumers, he said, will benefit from access to verified information, customer reviews and location-based search tools.

Online commerce has expanded rapidly in Ghana over recent years, driven by increased smartphone use and social media marketing, but authorities and consumer groups have raised concerns over a surge in online scams targetting buyers and small traders.

GHKonect.com said its review and reputation system will allow customers to provide feedback on businesses, helping to build accountability and reduce the risk of fraud.

The platform is open to businesses across multiple sectors – including mining, manufacturing, finance, hospitality, education, food and beverages, entertainment and professional services. Businesses can join via a free listing, with paid options available for advertising and enhanced visibility.

Mr. Assibey said the company envisions this platform evolving into a broader data and engagement tool for policymakers and development partners seeking insights into business activity, particularly among small- and medium-sized enterprises.

“Our focus is on trust, transparency and community,” he said. “Digitisation should work for everyone; businesses, consumers and institutions.”

GHKonect.com, he maintained, is positioning itself to be long-term infrastructure for the country’s digital business ecosystem, as competition intensifies among platforms seeking to formalise and monetise online trade.

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