Meet Alex Kumaga, a 32 years old shoemaker at Aveme Gborxome in the North Dayi District. He is the owner of Forestland Shoes. Mr. Kumaga became a client of the BAC; with a non-formalized business after a community engagement in November, 2022.

In the same month, he was sponsored by the North Dayi District Assembly through recommendations from the BAC to attend the Volta Trade and Investment Fair, 2022. According to Mr. Kumaga, he had not attended any trade fairs since commencement of his business. At the fair, he sold over 100 pairs of sandals and created more links and contacts with retailers within the Ho municipality. After the fair, he had an opportunity to attend an international exhibition in Accra and that gave him more exposure. Again in the same month, the client applied for Mastercard Young Africa Works, ICE component and was supported with business registration with the Registrar General’s Department.

He now operates a formalized business and has started improved manage practices such as records keeping, savings and improved packaging through the impact of continuous advice, monitoring and follow ups from GEA/BAC. Foresland shoes has employed 3 more hands to meet demands from new market outlets realized through his engagements with the office. Mr. Alex Kumaga is determine to improve his branding in the year 2023 and hopes to become one of the best footwear producers in the Volta Region and Ghana as a whole.