ABOUT THE BRC
The establishment of the Business Resource Centers (BRCs) at the district level forms part of the realignment of the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) to fit into the National Industrial Transformation Agenda. Accordingly, the African Development Bank and International Fund are funding the establishment of BRCs for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under REP.
A Business Resource Center (BRC) is a one-stop enterprise support centre at the district level designed to provide a broad range of Business Development Services (BDS) to potential and existing entrepreneurs and enterprises. They also operate as financial and investment facilitation hubs and business information repositories for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The BRC model allows for a strategic partnership between private sector operators working with public sector to deliver Business Development Services. The BRCs have been established as part of the Industrial Transformation Agenda of the Government, implemented by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to provide institutional support to assist the MSMEs to grow and improve their competiveness
Currently, thirty-seven (37) of the BRCs have commenced operations since 3rd August 2020 nationwide with additional thirty (30) BRCs under construction which will bring the total to sixty-seven (67) across the country, when completed. In addition to this, there are 180 BACs in other districts.
Linkage to National Development Agenda
The vision of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) is to transform Ghana into the new manufacturing hub of Africa. Accordingly, MOTI has since 2017 being implementing the
Industrial Transformation Agenda of the Government of Ghana, anchored on a 10-Point Agenda including the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); One District One Factory (1D1F) Policy;
Export Development Programme; Business Regulatory Reforms etc.
The establishment of BRCs directly contributes the attainment of these policies particularly the Development of SMEs sector, which accounts for 92% of business enterprises in Ghana, employs 80% of our workforce
and generates 70% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The establishment of the BRCs is expected to provide institutional support to assist the MSMEs to grow and improve their competitiveness.
Facilities of a BRC
BRCs are housed in specially designed and well-equipped office complexes with skilled human resources, logistics and facilities that ensure effective delivery of quality BDS at the district level. The BRC office infrastructure is composed of a single storey building with the following features:
Our Governance Structure
A National BRC Oversight Committee has been established to provide strategic direction for the operations of the BRC under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Trade and Industry. The Committee’s membership is composed of the following:
DISTRICT Advisory Committee
Each BRC has an Advisory Committee composed of the following members:
Ownership And Management Of BRC’s
The BRC concept is based on a private-public partnership (PPP) model, with public ownership of the physical assets and private management of the BRC operations. This model allows for a strategic partnership between private sector operators working with public sector institutions to deliver BDS services nationwide. Partner institutions include the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) etc.
The BRCs also provide banking and insurance agency services for MSMEs in partnership with selected financial institutions. The physical infrastructure of BRCs is owned by the Government of Ghana with oversight by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI).
Staffing
Each BRC has the following core staff: General Manager; Business Development and Marketing Manager; Knowledge Management and Information Technology Manager; Administration & Finance Manager; Accounts Officer; Administration and Human Resource Officer; and Front Desk and Client Service Executive. In addition to the core staff, there is a roster of Consultants and other professionals e.g.: Accountants, Lawyers, Business Development Specialists, Engineers and other experts from varied fields and background, who complement the work of the core staff by providing services to clients as and when required, with oversight by the BRC Management Team.