Zongo youth undergo entrepreneurial training

About 2100 youth in Zongo communities in seven districts of the Eastern Region are to benefit from the Zongo Entrepreneurial Training (ZET) bootcamp organised by a local non-governmental organisation, Fapimpa Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Inner Cities and Zongo Development.

The participating districts are New Juaben North and South, Akuapim North, Lower Manya Krobo, West Akim, Denkyembour and Abuakwa North.

Each assembly has 300 participants between 15 to 35 years residing in and around Zongo communities in selected urban, peri-urban and rural parts of the country taking part in the four weeks training.

The boot camp is expected to help participants develop entrepreneurial skills, provide startup support and sensitise the youth to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Develop your potential

The Minister for Inner Cities and Zongo Development, Dr Mustapha Hamid, who launched the programme, urged the youth, especially those in the muslim communities to develop their potentials in order to thrive.

He urged muslim communities to also work hard to erase the perception that muslims did not like working but rather engaged in social vices.

Mr Hamid disclosed that there were ongoing discussions to introduce the Zongo Business Promotion Programme to support many people in the Inner cities and Zongo communities.

He congratulated the Fapimpa Foundation on their efforts to improve the lives and livelihoods of youth within and around Zongo communities and affirmed the support of the ministry to enable the NGO achieve the objectives of the bootcamp project.

National call

The Executive Director of the foundation, Mr Kobina Adomadzi Longdon, said the National Youth Policy encouraged civil society organisations such as the Fapimpa Foundation to actively support the youth, especially the vulnerable and under resourced to obtain safety nets in their communities, gain exposure to leadership and decision making situations, as well as transit smoothly into adulthood.

In supporting this national call, he said the foundation and its partners initiated the bootcamp project to direct applicable and sustainable solutions to the pressing needs and growing concerns associated with grassroot youth activities, especially within and around Zongo communities in Ghana, beginning from the Eastern Region.