The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has vowed to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the Business In A Box (BizBox) Project – a four-year initiative aimed at creating 250,000 “dignified” and fulfilling jobs for young people in Ghana by 2027.
The project is designed to ensure that 70% of these opportunities benefit women and 10% are allocated to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
According to the GEA, BizBox integrates essential tools, training, mentorship, and coaching to support participants in starting and growing their businesses. However, qualified individuals will receive assistance with business formalization, product certification, and access to startup kits, markets, finance, and technology.
The project places a particular emphasis on agriculture and agri-adjacent sectors, aiming to enhance the well-being and resilience of young entrepreneurs.
Mrs. Margaret Ansei, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEA, emphasized the importance of market access for women entrepreneurs in Ghana, highlighting the role of the Business in a Box (BizBox) Project in addressing this challenge.
She noted that while women entrepreneurs contribute significantly to Ghana’s economy, limited access to sustainable markets remains a major challenge.
To tackle this issue, she said the BizBox Project includes initiatives like the Ghana Mall, a Trade Facilitation Hub designed to connect women-led businesses to larger markets both locally and internationally.
“The BizBox is more than just a project; it symbolizes hope and opportunity. It encompasses the tools, knowledge, and support necessary to initiate, develop, own, and grow successful businesses,” the CEO said.
Applications for the PWD Enterprise Support Programme are currently being accepted, with ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure the effectiveness of the support provided to enterprises owned by or employing a significant percentage of Persons with Disabilities.
