Whiles we believe measures taken so far will be crucial in helping our Nation through these trying times, we appeal to government to provide necessary support for Ghana’s startup community.
This by doing the following:
Establish an emergency Fund for Startups and small and medium size businesses (SMEs) to cushion them while they come to terms with the new directives. We are aware that the new directives mean that some startups and SMEs will default payment and incur losses as a direct result of the travel and movement restrictions.
Encourage banks and other lenders to give a grace period to startups and SMEs while they come to terms with the new climate to enable them to pay their loans.
Assign the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) as the guaranteeing institution for all Startups and SMEs loans with designated banks over the next quarter.
Where possible, government agencies should prioritise payments to SMEs and startups that have provided services.
Study the possibility of a tax exemption to all startups and SMEs for the month of March.
This is a non-exhaustive list of actions we belive if taken will be of great help to startups and SMEs in Ghana.
Signed:
Gilles Ametepe,
Snr. Partner, Policy & Institutional Relations
For further information, please contact:
The Ghana Startup Network
+233248606652
[email protected]
