Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) in collaboration with Mastercard Foundation has launched Business In A Box (BizBox)Initiative to help reduce unemployment rate in the Eastern region.
The Partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) aimed to create dignified and fulfilling jobs for 250,000 young people in Ghana, with 70% being women and 10% Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by 2027.
250,000 people are going to benefit from the program in the Eastern region.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, Mrs Kosi Yankey Ayeh, explained that the focus is to address youth unemployment by building an entrepreneurial nation and creating 1 million jobs for Ghanaian youth.
Mrs Kosi Yankey said that the partnership lies within the Agency’s mandate as the apex body to promote and develop Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
She added that they intend to enable 3 million young women and men access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
Mrs Kosi Yankey affirmed that the BizBox Project integrates tools, learnings, and support needed by the youth to start and grow their businesses through training, mentorship, and coaching, qualified participants proceed to receive support with business formalization, product certification, and many more.
She stated that the five main pillars which include youth skills development, access to markets, access to startup kits, youth social networks, and institutional strengthening, policy, and regulatory support, will create long-term employment opportunities for participants by leveraging existing structures, recognizable business associations, and partners, among other strategies.
She expressed her profound gratitude to the Regional Minister and his esteemed Directors at the Regional Coordinating Council for embracing the initiative and ensuring its success.
‘‘To the youth in the Eastern Region, I would like to say that your commitment to this initiative and your ability to foster economic growth is what we require and hope for you. We assure you of our full support and cooperation in this endeavor because together we can,’’ she added.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Hon Seth Kwame Acheampong on his part indicated that the BizBox intervention is designed to achieve even more by providing skills development training.
Hon Seth Acheampong continued that the program resonates with the Government’s commitment to create prosperity and equal opportunities for all, as outlined in its agenda for job creation.
The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South Constituency who doubles as a Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon Michael Okyere Baafi said the initiative will help fight unemployment in the region.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Krobodehye Kwame Ocansey
