The Design & Technology Institute (DTI) in collaboration with the Stanford Seed Transformation Network Ghana has organised a 3-day Trainer of Trainees workshop to train 49 SMEs to enhance their operations through the application of Precision Quality (PQ)™ principles to make their business more competitive.
A total of 113 top management members benefited from the workshop.
Ghanaian businesses and industries face a critical problem with the quality and standardization of goods and services. Many companies produce goods and offer services that do not meet international quality standards, which makes businesses uncompetitive globally.
Through the training, DTI expects to improve the work skills and practices of 1,000 SMEs. The training forms part of DTI’s strategy to work with key stakeholders to enable three (3) million young people, particularly women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030 using a multiplier approach.
The training is under the ‘Transforming youth TVET livelihood for sustainable jobs’ project in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s ‘Young Africa Work (YAW) Strategy’, which seeks to create 40,000 direct and indirect work opportunities for the youth, especially young women, through TVET in Ghana.
Miss Constance Swaniker, Founder and CEO of DTI, encouraged the participants to be open-minded about the principles of PQ™ which will help them to develop standardized products and services to remain competitive in the market, especially with the coming into effect of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Ghanaian businesses can only thrive and grow when goods and services produced meet internationally accepted quality standards, especially with Africa becoming one big market through the AfCFTA. With PQ™ businesses are guaranteed continuous revenue,” she added.
Since 2020, DTI has been leading the movement for the adoption of PQ™ by businesses to address the quality gap among businesses and standardize the process of producing goods and services to grow and sustain the Ghanaian economy.
Linda Yaa Ampah, CEO of KAD Manufacturing Ltd and President of Stand Seed Transformation Network Ghana, was excited about the collaboration with DTI and the opportunities it presents to businesses in their network. “The Precision Quality training has come at a good time to prepare managers and staff of businesses to have a shift in mindset towards top-notch delivery of services and production of goods. This workshop holds the key to unlocking potential in our teams to achieve the mission and objectives of our businesses.”
“In the fast-changing international business environment, Ghanaian businesses must strive for the highest quality to transform and match the competition on the global market. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement presents immense opportunities for Ghanaian businesses but the quality we put out in tandem with demand and other factors will determine our ability to lead the African market,” she added.
Participants are expected to be agents of change in the Ghanaian business environment by transferring the knowledge acquired from the training to their team members and staff.
The three-day training workshop equipped participants with the knowledge to understand the requirements of a precision quality working environment, quality assurance, understanding competency-based training and the importance of TVET for industry, promotion of business for growth and creation of employment, and soft skills requirements for the industry.