Ghanaian SMEs must embrace online tools to grown - Google

Ghana has done so well creating high awareness of the internet potential to business growth, but small and medium scale enterprises have been too slow in their response to explore the online tools for higher profits.

Mrs Estelle Akrofio-Sowah, Country Manager of Google Ghana, speaking to the media in Accra on Wednesday, also indicated that Ghana stood tall in terms of investment in terms of internet infrastructure development in Africa.

“… but where we are still struggling is the business usage of the internet. If you have a very good road but no one is driving on it and there are no shops or businesses along it, then it is leading you nowhere," she said.

“And that is where we think Ghana really needs to pick up. We need to ensure we not only have the right policies but that people are really selling the rights standards."

The Google Ghana Country Manager was speaking at the ongoing Google Ghana Week, which has been dedicated to communities such as internet developers, business groups, and bloggers to holding workshops and training sessions at helping the groups to better understand how to use ICT tools to develop innovative products in Ghana.

The week also aims to share technical product information and tips among the communities and listen to active players shaping the internet eco-system in Ghana under the broader theme: “Innovation in Ghana”.

“We only have to deepen the interaction and meet more frequently to share ideas that will enable us to create quality products for smarter solutions,” Chukwu Emeka Afigbo, Google Outreach Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa said.

The concept of developing and working with communities in Africa dates back over four years. Some of the aims include building a base for developers to create higher quality products to achieve greater success and respect for the community.