PWD small business owners to get support through accelerator programme

Dislabelled, a social enterprise which aims to provide career and academic development opportunities to increase the economic power of people with disabilities (PWDs) in Africa, is collaborating with Pitch Hub, an organisation that equips young entrepreneurs in Ghana with business management skills, to create a Small Business Accelerator Programme for business owners living with disabilities in Ghana.

The Small Business Accelerator scheme, scheduled to commence in March 2021, will provide direct and holistic support to the selected beneficiaries by giving them access to business resources, such as coaching, mentorship and funding, to help revive and grow their ventures after the devastating effects of COVID-19.

“As part of our drive to empower our community and provide a buffer to more vulnerable businesses, this dedicated and tailored support will guide selected businesses back on track, help unlock potential for growth and provide a much-needed push for them,” says Efua Asibon, a co-founder of Dislabelled.

“It will also equip participants with knowledge of how to transition to mobile-based and remote businesses [of the kind] that can succeed in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business climate – a recipe for long-term success,” she adds.

Building resilience

Pitch Hub is excited to be part of the initiative.

“This project is in line with our focus on providing business support for marginalised groups in Ghana,” says Aurelia Abena Attipoe, founder of Pitch Hub.

“We are optimistic that beneficiaries will be empowered with the right skills needed to build and sustain resilient businesses. We urge all eligible businesses to take advantage of this opportunity.”

This maiden edition of the Small Business Accelerator programme will include group workshops, access to funding, access to relevant networks, and in-depth one-on-one coaching and mentorship.

The training sessions will cover a wide array of topics, such as operational excellence, finance and bookkeeping, marketing strategy, business model review (capacity-building, customer expansion) as well as personal branding and development.

The scheme is open to Ghanaian-based business owners living with physical or cognitive disabilities. The business in question must be legally registered and must have been in operation for at least two years.

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