Accra, Oct. 20, GNA – The West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) has impacted the competitiveness of 48,849 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in accessing national and international markets.

The project has led to the development and promotion of 16 new standards to enhance the quality and consumer protection of cosmetics and personal care cassava products both in and outside Ghana.

Using UNIDO’s 5 Cs for competitiveness: coordinate, compete, conform, connect, and credit, WACOMP improved production, and quality compliance, competitiveness, and market access of SMEs in the cosmetics, personal care, cassava, and fruit sectors.

The WACOMP was implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Ghana and funded by the European Union (EU).

After more than five years of work, the project has ensured a steady enhancement of productivity, sustainable and inclusive job creation, increased income for the final beneficiaries, and improved a sound and efficient Quality Infrastructure System in Ghana.

With a budget of €6,350,000, the initiative aimed to improve the competitiveness of the cassava, mango, pineapple, cosmetics, and personal care product value chains.

At the closing ceremony, Mr Irchad Razaaly, the Ambassador of the European Union to Ghana, said: “WACOMP will forever stand as proof that investment in SMEs, agro-business, and private sector development is a win for the local entrepreneurs, for the government, and for the people of Ghana, as well as for our partnership with Ghana.”