By: Evans Attah Akangla| ignewss|
The National Chairman of the Association of Small-Scale Industries (ASSI), Rev. Christian Balagi, has urged newly elected executives in the Volta Region to partner with the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat to ensure small businesses benefit from the government’s flagship policy.
He said the formation of a regional 24-hour economy committee presents a fresh opportunity for members, despite earlier gaps in collaboration.
Rev. Balagi also pointed to ongoing restructuring within ASSI, revealing that seven out of the country’s 16 regions have completed the process and optimistic that the reforms coinciding with the association’s 40th anniversary will help shape its future direction.
The Volta Region becomes the seventh to elect new leadership, with a focus on placing competent executives at both district and regional levels to better represent informal sector businesses.
The ASSI chairman also raised concern over persistent power rationing, warning it is hurting small-scale operators, especially hairdressers and barbers, calling on the Ministry of Energy to act swiftly to prevent further losses.
On digital transformation, Rev. Balagi describes a “new dawn” for the association, urging members to enrol in an upcoming digital platform that will issue ID-linked payment cards to facilitate transactions.
He observed that active members will benefit from ASSI programmes, insisting the association remains central to national economic growth.
Meanwhile, ASSI General Secretary Abdalah Alhassan Samari said nationwide executive elections have now been completed, with all officers serving four-year terms.
He explained that ASSI operates as an umbrella body for 62 trade associations and focuses on organising groups rather than individuals, with its national secretariat based at the Ghana Enterprises Agency in Accra.
Mr Samari describes the Volta elections as historic—the first in 31 years—resulting in the selection of a seven-member executive to lead the region.
Their immediate task, he said, is to register unrecognised trade associations and bring them under the ASSI umbrella to improve access to government and institutional support.
He also called for stronger collaboration with NGOs and regional authorities to deliver training, particularly in financial literacy, while encouraging members to leverage social media to expand their markets.
Mr Samari further advises the new leadership to exercise patience and diplomacy, noting that managing trade associations requires careful engagement to ensure unity and collective progress.
Source: www.ignewss.com|Ghana