THE WEST AFRICA SME CONFERENCE AND AWARDS CONTRIBUTES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECTOR, HOLDS IN ACCRA- PRINCE IKE O. SMARTY

As the emerging economies of the world continue to see the importance of micro, small and medium enterprises MSMEs to the growth and development of their nations, more platforms continue to spring up to further the cause of this extremely important sector.

For Africa generally, the MSME sector have for years been the sustaining factor in the quest for development and economic growth. This and other factors have led to this platform that is aimed at contributing to the improvement in the sector.

According to Prince Ike Smarty, the promoter of the West African SME Conference and Awards of Excellence (WASCA), and publisher of Africa Informer,

“ It is imperative for Africa to continuously create avenues for discussions and sharing of ideas on how to grow our MSMEs, because they are the bedrock of our survival. MSMEs employ millions, more than big corporations and multi nationals put together, in terms of cumulative cash flow you cannot shrug them aside, many are now home grown productive businesses. The advantages of continuously promoting the growth of this sector are unquantifiable”

Continuing he said, “The West Africa SME Conference seeks to bring together, relevant Government Agencies, CEOs  and  Decision makers of Small and Medium Enterprises, SME finance institutions, Foreign and African  Investors in the sector, Financial Engineers, budding and established Entrepreneurs as well as Captains of industry, to discuss ideas and proffer solutions that will engineer sustainable growth and remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of players in the Small and Medium Enterprises in West Africa in particular and Africa generally.

With the Theme : Reinventing  SME Financing For Better Impact, Improved Returns and Sustainable Growth, the one day conference will discuss at length, more viable options that will improve on the development and growth of small and medium businesses.

The West Africa SME Awards of Excellence will also be presented to outstanding SMEs that have made remarkable impact in their various areas of the  sector across West Africa, in areas like; Agriculture and Allied sector, Health Care, Manufacturing / FMCGs, Technology, IT, Hospitality, SME Finance, Trade, Environment, Real Estate, Public Administration, and a host of others.

Expected to deliver the Keynote id His Excellency Dr. John Jerry Rawlings, Former President of Ghana. Special Guest Speaker is Mr. Bola Adeboye, MD, Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank, Abuja, Nigeria. Other Speakers include Prof. Joshua Y. Abor, Dean, University of Ghana Business School, Legon. Prof. Godfred Bokpin, Head of Finance Department, University of Ghana Business School, Legon.

The one day conference comes up by the last week of April at the British Council in Accra.

Meanwhile a number of awardees and nominees have emerged in the run up to the event, namely, Erisco Foods Nigeria, Abii National Savings and Loans Ghana, Spark Entrepreneur School Lagos, Heavens Insecticides Ghana, Neuce Paints Ghana, Agyappiah bitters Ghana, E Barc Microfinance Ltd, Abuja-Nigeria, Adehyeman Savings and Loans Ghana, Unicredit Ghana, AG Mortgage Bank Lagos, Nigeria, , Women’s World Banking Ghana, Lapo Micro Finance, Benin City, Nigeria, Advans Savings and Loans Ghana Blue Crest Fashion College Ghana and a host of others.

GOLDMYNE LTD LAGOS, ASA SAVINGS AND LOANS GHANA, ABII NATIONAL SAVINGS AND LOANS ACCRA, ERISCO FOODS LTD LAGOS, SPARKS ENTREPRENUAL SCHOOL, LAGOS , BLUE CREST FASHION AND DESIGN INSTITUTE, ACCRA, join list of awardees

GOLDMYNE LTD LAGOS, ASA SAVINGS AND LOANS GHANA, ABII NATIONAL SAVINGS AND LOANS  ACCRA, ERISCO FOODS LTD LAGOS, SPARKS ENTREPRENUAL SCHOOL, LAGOS , BLUE CREST FASHION AND DESIGN INSTITUTE, ACCRA, join list of awardees/nominees

More awardees have emerged for the WEST AFRICA SME CONFERENCE AND AWARDS 2015, coming up on the 27th April 2016 at the prestigious British Council Auditorium in Accra the Ghanain capital.
Lagos Nigeria based Goldmyne Ltd, has being tipped for the   MOST INNOVATIVE SME ORGANIZATION (MANUFACTURING SUPPORT) award, while Lagos based Sparks Entrepreneurial School is the MOST OUTSTANDING ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION. ABII NATIONAL, a top savings and loans organization in Ghana which has been in the forefront in the financing of SMEs has emerged GHANA'S TOP QUALITY FINANCE BRAND FOR SME DEVELOPMENT & SERVICE EXCELLENCE, in view of its impeccable service in the development of SMEs in Ghana and across the West Africa sub region. In the same vain, Chief Odinaka Eric Umeofia, emerges the  African Indigenous Entrepreneur of the year for the remarkable success of his foods manufacturing company that produces some of the best indigenous  Tomato Paste brands in the market today. His factories and hectares of farmlands emply thousands of people across Nigeria and West Africa.  
Asa Savings and Loans Ghana has emerged AS MOST EFFICIENT SAVINGS AND LOANS ORGANIZATION IN GHANA, while Blue Crest Fashion Institute, is the Most Outstanding SME Development Organization (Fashion Sector)

The Chief Guest Speaker Mr. Bola Adeboye has been confirmed for the event, while the duo of Prof. Joshua Y. Abor (Dean) and Prof. Godfried Bokpin (Head of Finance Department) have both confirmed their  attendance as guest speaker.

Nominees in various categories who were selected after extensive  research by members of the awards committee in Nigeria and Ghana, include:   E Barc Microfinance Ltd, Abuja, Nigeria, Adehyeman Savings and Loans Ghana, Unicredit Ghana, AG Mortgage Bank Lagos, Nigeria, Abii National Ghana, Women’s World Banking Ghana, Lapo Micro Finance, Benin City, Nigeria, Ivory Savings and Loans Ghana, Union Savings and Loans Ghana, Diamond Capital Savings and Loans Ghana and a few others, in the SME FINANCE CATEGORY.

 Chief Eric Umeofia, Executive Chairman Erisco Foods

















Mr.GODFRIED OSEI-BOAKYE – Managing Director, Abii National

WEST AFRICA SME Awards of Excellence will also be presented to outstanding SMEs that have made remarkable impact in their various areas of the  sector across West Africa, in areas like; Agriculture and Allied sector, Health Care, Manufacturing / FMCGs, Technology, IT, Hospitality, Trade, Environment, Real Estate, Public Administration, and a host of others. More than 50 nominees -awardees have already been penciled down in these categories. The Keynote Addressis expected to be delivered  by His Excellency Dr. John Jerry Rawlings, Former President of Ghana.

AWARDEES AND NOMINEES EMERGE AT THE WEST AFRICA SME CONFERENCE AND AWARDS ACCRA

AWARDEES AND NOMINEES EMERGE AT THE WEST AFRICA SME CONFERENCE AND AWARDS ACCRA 

ABII NATIONAL GHANA and ERISCO FOODS LTD NIGERIA EMERGE AWARDEES

Awardees and nominees have emerged as the count down to the up coming WEST AFRICA SME CONFERENCE AND AWARD OF EXCELLENCE (WASCAEX 2016) begins.

ABII NATIONAL, a top savings and loans organization in Ghana which has been in the forefront in the financing of SMEs has emerged as GHANA'S TOP QUALITY FINANCE BRAND FOR SME DEVELOPMENT & SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Chief Eric Umeofia , Chairman Erisco Foods

 in view of its impeccable service in the development of SMEs in Ghana and across the West Africa sub region.

                  Mr.GODFRIED OSEI-BOAKYE – Managing Director, Abii National

 In the same vain, Chief Odinaka Eric Umeofia, emerges the  AFRICAN INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR for the remarkable success of his foods manufacturing company that produces some of the best indigenous  Tomato Paste brands in the market today. His factories and hectares of farmlands empoly thousands of people across Nigeria and West Africa.

Nominees in various categories who were selected after extensive research by members of the awards committee in Nigeria and Ghana, include:   E Barc Microfinance Ltd, Abuja, Nigeria, Adehyeman Savings and Loans Ghana, Unicredit Ghana, AG Mortgage Bank Lagos, Nigeria, Abii National Ghana, Women’s World Banking Ghana, Lapo Micro Finance, Benin City, Nigeria, Ivory Savings and Loans Ghana, Union Savings and Loans Ghana, Diamond Capital Savings and Loans Ghana and a few others, in the SME FINANCE CATEGORY.

WEST AFRICA SME Awards of Excellence will also be presented to outstanding SMEs that have made remarkable impact in their various areas of the  sector across West Africa, in areas like; Agriculture and Allied sector, Health Care, Manufacturing / FMCGs, Technology, IT, Hospitality, Trade, Environment, Real Estate, PublicAdministration, and a host of others. More than 50 awardees have already been penciled down in these categories.

THE one-day CONFERENCE/AWARDS holds on Wednesday 27th April, 2016, at The British Council Auditorium, Accra-Ghana.

Keynote Address by Dr. John Jerry Rawlings, Former President of Ghana. Special Guest of Honour: Ghana Minister of Trade and Industry.Special Guest Speaker : Pastor Bola Adeboye, MD, Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank, Abuja, Nigeria. Guest Speakers : Prof. Joshua Y. Abor, Dean, University of Ghana Business School, Legon. Prof. Stephen Adjei, Fmr. Rector Ghana Institute of Management and PublicAdministration, GIMPA, Accra.  Mr. Arnold Boateng, Enterprise Consultant and Author, Accra

WEST AFRICA SME CONFERENCE AND AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2016 HOLDS IN ACCRA GHANA

 THE WEST AFRICA SME CONFERENCE AND AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE HOLDS IN ACCRA IN APRIL 2016

 

The WEST AFRICA SME CONFERENCE AND AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2016 holds in Accra Ghana on the 27th of APRIL 2016.

Speaking at a press conference to kick start the annual forum for the development of Africa, Publisher and Editor in Chief of AFRICA INFORMER, the organizers of the event, Prince Ike Onwuka Smarty said," the focus of the platform for this year is the continuation of discussions and sharing of ideas on the growth of the micro, small and medium scale enterprises as the fulcrum of Africa's economic growth. The good thing is that governments, banks, investors and the generality of Africa have all come to understand the importance of  MSMEs in the march towards Africa's socio-economic revival. However the issue of proper financing to aid growth is still very critical to the success of most products aimed at operators in this sector. Most financing are still trade based to the detriment of SMEs in the real sector."

The theme for this year's summit is  Reinventing  SME Financing For Better Impact, Improved Returns and Sustainable Growth.

 The one -day conference holds on the Thursday 28th April, 2016, at The British Council Auditorium, Liberia Road, Accra-Ghana. 

Proposed Keynote Address  is by Dr. John Jerry Rawlings, Former President of Ghana and the  Special Guest of Honour is  Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Ghana Minister of Trade and Industry.

Special Guest Speaker is Mr. Bola Adeboye, MD/CEO,, Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank, Abuja

Proposed Speakers include  Mr, Peter Bamkole, Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan African University, Lekki , Lagos, Prof. Joshua Y. Abor, Dean, University of Ghana Business School, Legon.

Others are Dr. Godfred Alufar Bokpin, HOD, Department of Finance, University of Ghana Business School,.Chief Eric Odinaka Umeofia, Chairman/CEO, Erisco Foods Ltd, Lagos Nigeria.. Mr. Arnold Boateng, Enterprise Consultant and Author, Accra  Ghana.

The WEST AFRICA SME CONFERENCE is  a one day annual  conference that brings together, top CEOs and Captains of industries, policy makers, past and present leaders,  leaders of thought, non governmental organizations and a host of others to discuss and proffer ideas and solutions for Africa's growth and development.

In the same vein, theWEST AFRICA SME AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE honours institutions, individuals, leaders etc, who have contributed immensely to the development and growth of Africa and Africans in their various areas of human endeavours.

THE WEST AFRICA TRADITIONAL, ALTERNATIVE AND NATURAL HERBAL PRODUCTS FAIR, ACCRA GHANA 28MARCH – 17TH APRIL 2016

The Ghana Ministry of health in conjunction with Africa Informer, holds the above fair at the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra the Ghanaian capital. The theme of the event is  - Promoting Herbal care for sustainable growth and a healthier West Africa.

The Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations and All Africa Media Network, Ghana are also part of the organizers. The event brings together

The event brings together Herbal Care Practitioners and Service Providers including;

Herbal Clinics and Hospitals; Herbal Drugs Manufacturers, Distributors and Products; Traditional Orthopaedic Practitioners; Herbal Beverages and Bitters, Herbal Beauty Products and Soaps; Herbal FCMGs like Toothpastes, Teas, Hair creams, Skin treatment creams, STD treatments, etc.; Natural Mineral Health Water Products and others.

EVENT DATES : 28th March -17^th April 2016.    VENUE: Efua Sutherland Park, Accra - Ghana

TIME : 9AM - 7PM DAILY

The event kicks off with a 4-HOUR Conference, which starts by 9.00 AM on the 28th of March 2016. Papers on the developmental strides in African Herbal Care will be delivered by 3- Eminent Scholars from The Department Of Herbal Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana.

THE AWARDEES @ THE 4TH FASHION AND LIFE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS AWARDS

THE AWARDEES @ THE 4TH FASHION AND LIFE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS AWARDS

Mrs. Dorothy Ogharadukun, MD, D Boat Ltd, Mrs. Osayande Osaro, Director Information Management , Center for Black and African Arts and Civilization,CBAAC, receives award on behalf of the DG, CBAAC, from Peter Roc Onwuka-Smarty, Publisher and Host. CBAAC was honoured as the MOST OUTSTANDING CULTURE PROMOTING ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR.

Mr. Remi Akinwale, Marketing Director receives award on behalf fo the Chairman of 3D Makery Africa, as the MOST INNOVATIVE PHOTO TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER IN AFRICA

Mrs. Eunice Oghinan- Dawodu, CEO Ginani Fashion Design School. receives award as the BEST PATTERN MAKING FASHION ACADEMY IN NIGERIA 2015

ZARIS Fashion and Style Academy receives award as the MOST OUTSTANDING FASHION ACADEMY IN NIGERIA 2015

Mrs. Sola Babatunde, Principal OSC FASHION COLLEGE, receives award from Deacon Sola Tomoloju, OSC is the MOST INSPIRATIONAL FASHION SCHOOL IN NIGERIA 2015

Mrs. Chioma Onyekwena, CEO, KAMMYS HOUSE OF BEAUTY, receives award as the EMERGING MAKE OVER ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2015

Mrs. Bimbo Balogun, CEO BIMBEADS CONCEPT, receives award as the MOST OUTSTANDING FASHION ACCESSORIES DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

LA PENZA COUTURE, revceives award as the MOST INNOVATINE FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR 2015

KOLA YUSUF, CEO Kola Kudus Couture receives awards as the MOST OUTSTANDING FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Mrs. Henrietta Agboola, Head of Faculty, Fashion and Arts Academy receives award as the MOST CREATIVE AND EFFICIENT FASHION ACADEMY IN NIGERIA 2015

Bukola Bankola, MD, Yellow Interior Design Company, receives award as the EMERGING INTERIOR DECORATION COMPANY OF THE YEAR.

Assistant Director, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Sanusi Umar, Mrs,Osayande Osaro, Director, CBAAC, Mr. Jim Obazee, Executive Secretary / CEO, Financiasl Reporting Council of Nigeria, receiving his award as the PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR, flanked by Peter Roc, Host.

Publicist extra-ordinaire cum ambassador of peace, Cornel Udofia and crew collect award on behalf of CLARION CHUKWURAH, who was honoured with the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE for her contribution to the movie insudtry in Nigeria.

Michael Magi, debonaire actor/producer receives award as EMERGING ACTOR/PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

                                                          CUTTING THE AWARD CAKE

                                   THE CBAAC TEAM IN A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH

CBAAC AND 14 OTHERS RECEIVE AWARDS AT THE 4TH FASHION AND LIFE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS IN LAGOS NIGERIA

CBAAC AND 14 OTHERS RECEIVE AWARDS AT THE 4^TH FASHION AND LIFE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS IN LAGOS NIGERIA

The remarkable event venue, UNITY CENTER located in the Government Reservation Area, GRA, in Ikeja the capital of Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital played host to the 4^TH EDITION OF THE Fashion and Life Conference and Achievements Awards on the 8^th of January 2016.

Well-dressed fashionistas thronged the venue looking dapper and exquisite in their fantastic attires. The theme for the event was “Culture as the pivot for making Africa’s Fashion Industry a Global Brand”. This influenced the Center for Black and African Arts and Civilization, CBAAC, to partner Fashion and Life Magazine to make the event a resounding success.

According to the Host of the event Peter Roc Ike Onwuka – Smarty, “The Fashion industry is perhaps the highest employer of labour in Nigeria and probably Africa. It also has the highest number of small businesses considering the fact that virtually every street in Nigeria has a tailor, designers, tailoring materials seller etc. An estimated 15 million people are employed in the fashion industry’

                Host and Publisher Prince Peter Roc Onwuka- Smarty delivering his welcome address

Prince Peter Roc Ike Onwuka In the keynote speech delivered by the Director General of CBAAC, Dr. Ferdinand Anikwe, who was represented by the Director Information Management Division, CBAAC, Mrs. Osayande Osaro. He noted that “for Africa to be a global player in the fashion industry, she must learn from the Chinese experience. China is ranked among the top countries of the world that has a flourishing fashion trade. This feat was achieved because China developed her traditional textile industry and made it the bedrock of their economy. They equally ensured that their appetite and consumption of homemade fabrics far outweigh the choice for foreign dresses. The Chinese people take pride in their culture and perhaps believe that if they do not promote their traditional attires, nobody will do it for them. Today with approximately $255 billion in exports in 2012, China has become one of the biggest exporter of garments in the world.”

 Mrs Dorothy Ogharadunkun, Mrs. O. Osaro, Director CBAAC, Rreieves Award on behalf of the DG, CBAAC from host Prince Ike Onwuka-Smarty

About 15 people and organizations in the fashion, finance and entertainment industries received accolades at the event. CBAAC was presented with the Best Culture Promoting Organization of the year award, while Mr. Jim Obazee, the Executive Secretary / CEO, of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria received the Public Administrator of the Year Award, for his support of the growth of SMEs and his dogged fight to ensure proper financial reporting amongst corporate bodies in Nigeria.

Kola Kudus Couture was awarded the Most Outstanding Fashion Designer of the Year, Lapenza Couture was the Most Innovative Designer of the Year.Zaris Fashion and Style Academy was adjudged the Most Outstanding Fashion Academy in Nigeria, while Ginani Fashion Design School is the Best Pattern Making Fashion Academy.

From left, mrs. Dorothy Ogharadukun, MD , DBoat Ltd, Mrs O. Osaro

Director Infomation Management Services, CBAAC, Mr. Remi Akinwale, Marketing Director 3D Makery Africa, Mrs Eunice Oghinan, CEO, Ginani Fashion School, Coordinator Zaris Fashion and Style Academy and Prince P.R, Ike Onwuka-Smarty, Host and pUBLISHER 

     Mr. Jim Obazee, Executive Director/ CEO FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL OF NIGERIA receives his Award as Public Adiministrator of the year from Mrs. O. Osaro, flanked by Prince Ike Onwuka-Smarty and a dicrector of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.

 

Cross Section of guests before the start of the event

 Others are OSC  College of Fashion- Most Inspirational Fashion Design School, Bimbo Balogun(Bimbeads Concept)-Most Outstanding Fashion Accessories Designer of the year. Kammys House of Beauty, Emerging Makeover Artist of the year and 3D Makery Africa is Africa’s Most Innovative Photo Technology Provider.

Also honoured were Yellow Interior Design Company- Emerging Interior Design Company of the year, Cris Emerald Communications Network International – Most Innovative Wellness Promoter of the year. Clarion Chukwurah was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence for her contribution to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry over the past 35 years.

 

 from left. Bukola Bankole CEO, YELLOW INTERIOR DESIGN COMPANY, Engineer, Cornal Udofia, Puclicist Extraordinaire, Micahel Magi, Actor/Producer, Prince Ike Onwuka- Smarty, Mrs Osaro, Otunba Bayo BABATUNDE and LaPenza Couturem cutting th award cake.