BizBox project empowers 320 Ahafo youth
Three hundred and twenty young people in the Tano South Municipality of the Ahafo Region have been equipped with essential skills and provided with packs of tools and equipment to start their businesses.
The trainees went through accelerated apprenticeship training in auto mechanics, masonry, carpentry, gari processing, among others.
The beneficiaries were trained under the Business in a Box (BizBox) project, implemented by the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
At the BizBox project at Bechem last Monday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEA, Margaret Ansei, said it was the vision of the government to support the youth to become entrepreneurs in order to reduce unemployed rate and sustain the growth of the economy.
She added that the Mastercard Foundation partnered the government to provide dignified jobs to reduce criminal activities in communities.
Ms Ansei explained that the programme had been enrolled by the government to empower the youth across the country.
Don't sell the items
She advised the beneficiaries not to sell the start-up kits, but to use them to establish and expand their businesses.
Ms Ansei said GEA would continue to monitor, guide and provide them with grants to grow their establishment and urged them to train others in their communities.
She appealed to the beneficiaries to give their best, assuring that in June this year, another set of batches would be registered to undertake different skills such as hair dressing, baking and tailoring.
Empower
The Tano South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Emmanuel Kwame Frimpong, described the BizBox project as a significant step towards empowering the youth in the municipality.
According to him, beneficiaries of the BizBox project were not only receiving certificates but also start-up kits to enable them to begin meaningful ventures.
“They are receiving a chance to begin something meaningful.
They are receiving the confidence that someone believes in their ability to succeed,” he said.
Mr Frimpong said unemployment remained one of the biggest challenges facing young people, stressing that the solution was not only in waiting for jobs but in creating jobs and supporting artisans and businesses.
Beyond the equipment and start-up kits, he said the programme would build confidence among the youth, adding that when young people were equipped and supported, their mindset would change and they would begin to see possibilities instead of limitations.
Mr Frimpong underscored the importance of partnerships in driving development, adding that the government alone could not shoulder the responsibility.
“It takes collaboration between the assembly, development partners, traditional leaders and the private sector to create meaningful and lasting change. Today is evidence of what we can achieve when we work together,” he said.
Accountability
Mr Frimpong underscored the importance of accountability, urging beneficiaries to use the tools productively.
“These tools and start-up kits are not gifts; they are investments meant to generate returns,” he stated, adding that beneficiaries were expected to grow their businesses and become role models within the community.
Apprenticeship programme
In a related development, the National Apprenticeship Programme under the National Youth Authority (NYA) has presented industrial sewing machines to 26 youth in the Tano South Municipality to acquire practical skills and knowledge in the tailoring industry.
The beneficiaries, mainly females, had been assigned to five different masters in their communities to train and nurture them.
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