The University Of Cape Coast School Of Business has organized the 3rd session of the e-seminar series on the topic Coronavirus Pandemic: Implications for Entrepreneurs and Enterprise Development.
In his introductory statement, the Dean of the University of Cape Coast School of Business, Prof. John Gatsi said “before the Coronavirus Pandemic, SMEs and Entrepreneurs were facing challenges in accessing finances including trade finance from various sources to finance their creativity, ideas and businesses”. He explained that Some SMEs were not in a position to meet their repayment obligations to financial institutions thereby contributing to the non-performing loan profile of financial institutions. Prof. Gatsi indicated that the Coronavirus Pandemic has increased the risk of access to finances by entrepreneurs and small businesses. He said “ Available and affordable access to different sources of finances to incentivize entrepreneurs and enterprises to scale up their activities to create new businesses and expand existing ones have become crucial demanding innovative and sustainable funding solutions. Prof Gatsi believes entrepreneurs can reach their ultimate entrepreneurial potentials when the right environment is created. He, therefore, called for reshaping of the entrepreneurial environment to avoid the temptation that this is not the time to invest in innovation, new ways of doing business, and research and development. He encouraged all the state holders in the entrepreneurial space to reduce their risk aversion and increase investment in innovation and create opportunities.
The Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Development at the School of Business, Dr ( Mrs.) Mavis Serwah Benneh- Mensah advised micro and small business owners and entrepreneurs to do what is feasible and join hands with other entrepreneurs as a strategy to overcome the difficulties imposed on them by the coronavirus pandemic
Dr. (Mrs.) Mavis Serwah Benneh-Mensah explained that the mandate of CESED is to provide entrepreneurial training and strengthen SMEs to play a critical role in the economy. She noted that even before COVID-19 SMEs are vulnerable and needed protection in terms of finances, markets, and business development processes. She further advised small businesses to engage in cost restructuring and embrace continuous entrepreneurial education to survive and remain relevant.
Dr. Benneh – Mensah expressed the willingness of the University of Cape Coast Incubator to assist entrepreneurs in proving research-based TIPS to survive.
On his part, Mr. Saka Addo-Mensah, who is an entrepreneur highlighted the challenges he and his colleagues in the property business are facing. He said rental properties are now empty because foreigners have lost money and cannot travel to the country as a result of the closure of borders and airports coupled with social distancing protocols. He said before the coronavirus pandemic face-to-face tour of the rental properties was the norm but now they have to invest in a virtual tour of their properties to attract investors. He explained that he doesn’t want to participate in the interventions provided to the business by the government because of the politicization of such schemes and difficulties inherent in the procedures.
He said he is more interested in identifying opportunities provided by the COVID-19 and not overly fixated about profits but safety as he has lost about 30% of business due to the pandemic.Mr. Saka Addo- Mensah explained that the nature of his business requires that he develops a new payment schedule and delivery date and re-negotiate with various stakeholders to stay safe in business.
Professor Ogo Nzewi, the Head of Department of Public Administration from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa provided a policy perspective to entrepreneurship and small enterprises. She explained that globally tax reliefs, social reliefs and small business fund have been provided as an intervention. However, in many cases these interventions have been slow in coming and discriminate against the very people and businesses that are in dire need of the support. She said large businesses are now competing with micro and small businesses for such supports which crowd out micro and small businesses of the access. SHS explained further that while so many businesses were dead before the pandemic all these businesses are in line competing with those that were destroyed by the pandemic and unfortunately adverse selection has taken place already.
Prof. Nzewi said the inequality in access to these interventions to especially the women who are in need could be traced from past policy structures or legacies where policy benefits are distributed based on factors such as political affiliation, what political authorities expect from groups that benefit from the intervention. She further advised businesses to seek for correct information from the right governmental and non-governmental institutions. She appealed to entrepreneurs and businesses to take TIPS from business associations and government institutions during the pandemic.
Prof Nzewi advised businesses to have more open communications and re-evaluate their capacity to adapt quickly and embrace innovation.
Mr. Nii Kpani, Deputy Director of the Sekondi – Takoradi Chamber of Commerce explained that the coronavirus pandemic is affecting demand of many businesses but indicated that those involve in poultry especially egg production are experiencing oversupply because they planned their production and invested in it using demand forecasts from schools across the country to do their investment but now the schools are not in session to buy the eggs. He also explained that demand for some food items, Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) and medicines are inevitable so the demand is going up. Mr. Kpani explained that businesses that embraced virtual tools for their work are able to cope whiles those who are not able to embrace virtual tools are finding it difficult.
On the Ghc6Million government intervention for SMEs, Mr. Kpani encouraged small businesses who are facing challenges completing the forms to contact the Chamber of Commerce to support them to complete the forms. He said given the number of businesses interested in the intervention the amount is not sufficient.
He advised entrepreneurs to incorporate technology into their business processes and build financial buffers to lower liquidity risk during times of difficulties. He further asked small business and enterprise owners to focus on business sustainability through innovations, creativity and quickly adapting to new ways of doing business.