A new UK-based charity has called on the telecoms industry to donate unwanted SIM-free mobile phones to help fledgling businesses in Ghana.
Sarah Gardner, the founder of Action Through Enterprise, one of the beneficiaries of the Gamma Ball Rally in September, has just returned from two weeks in Lawra, Ghana, where she distributed mobile phones kindly donated by Swedish manufacturer Doro.
They were given to participants in ATE's small business development programme, BizATE, which helps vulnerable people who have the skills, ideas and motivation to run a small business, but need a little help to get started.
ATE is now supporting 18 small businesses in Lawra, all of which are run by people who live in extreme poverty.
"Eighty per cent of these businesses are making a profit after six months," said Gardner.
"The Doro phones will enable the participants to communicate with our support team. They will be able to access advice and guidance more easily and request support without having to walk 10km in the blistering heat. Additionally, customers will be able to contact the businesses, increasing sales and therefore profits."
Gardner believes this kind of communications support is the single most valuable development to enable people to fight their way out of poverty.
"If you have SIM free mobile phones to donate please contact Sarah Gardner at sarahg.ghana@gmail.com