The growth story of B. Manna Foods Limited is shedding light on both the potential of small businesses in Ghana and the challenges they continue to face in scaling up.
Founded by Bernice Foster during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has evolved from a modest home-based operation in Kasoa into an emerging exporter of locally processed food products. Today, it produces flour from cassava, plantain, yam and cereals for both domestic and international markets.
Despite this progress, Mrs Foster says the journey has underscored the need for stronger institutional support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in areas such as financing, market access, and trade facilitation.
A turning point for the business came through the Post COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP), funded by the African Development Bank Group. With financial support of about GH¢300,000, the company was able to upgrade its operations, acquire machinery, and expand its workforce.
The business now employs about 15 people and exports products to the United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone from its early days of relying on personal savings and informal support networks.
Drawing from her experience, Mrs Foster has also launched the “Made in Ghana Marketplace,” an initiative that offers free retail space to emerging businesses struggling to access markets.
She believes that targeted policies such as tax incentives, reduced utility costs, and simplified registration processes could significantly improve the operating environment for SMEs.
Mrs Foster also highlighted the need for more efficient systems under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that complex certification and documentation procedures remain a barrier for small businesses seeking to expand across borders.
Her story, she says, is proof that with the right support structures, local enterprises can thrive and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic growth, while also competing on the international stage.
