The Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) and the Mastercard Foundation have distributed start-up tool kits to over 200 successfully trained youth in the Okaikwei Central constituency under the BizBox Program.
The training is a pilot program and will be rolled out fully in various districts across the country, targeting 250,000 youth who will master their skills and craftsmanship with a focus on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The project, a partnership between the GEA and the Mastercard Foundation, is anchored on five broad intervention pillars; Youth Skills Development, Access to the Market, Access to Start-up Kits, Youth Social Networks and Institutional Strengthening, Policy and Regulatory Support.
The trainees were trained in tailoring, hair making, make-up, pedicure and manicure, sewing and fashion design.
The Chief Executive Officer of GEA, Mrs Kosi Yankey-Ayerh, said the project targets young people in Ghana, with 70 percent being women and 10% Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
She said the initiative marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s collective efforts to empower the youth to create sustainable economic opportunities for the various communities.
She said the initiative is to encourage the youth to venture into entrepreneurial activities, adding that, the trainees were drawn from various districts and sampled into different districts respectively.
Speaking on the project’s effectiveness, the CEO said they are going to monitor and evaluate beneficiaries to ensure that they are growing into full-potential businesses.
The Member of Parliament Okaikwei Central, Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah, in an interview with the media called on all stakeholders including civil, social religious and traditional leadership to encourage the youth to embrace the initiative for sustainable development.
He expressed gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation and the Ghana Enterprise Agency for their efforts in supporting the youth.
He admonished the beneficiaries to protect their kits, use the opportunity to create jobs for others and expand their businesses. The MP added that the training was three to six months, hence, it was extensive and very useful.
