The Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) has facilitated the creation of over 109,471 jobs since 2017, with women representing 67% of the beneficiaries.
The announcement was made by Emmanuel Afrifah, Head of Internal Audit at GEA, during a ceremony in Bolgatanga, where 223 young graduates received startup kits to begin their entrepreneurial journeys.
The distribution of the kits is part of the “Business in a Box” (BizBox) initiative, a partnership between the Ghana Enterprise Agency and the Mastercard Foundation. The program aims to equip young Ghanaians with practical skills and resources to create sustainable livelihoods and reduce unemployment.
“The government of Ghana, under the visionary leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo, remains steadfast in its commitment to providing dignified and sustainable employment opportunities to our youth,” he stated.
The 223 recipients from the Bolgatanga Municipality were trained in various trades, including cloth weaving (60 individuals), hairdressing (68), dressmaking (92), welding (1), and leatherwork (2). Each received startup kits tailored to their respective fields, marking a key milestone in their paths to self-employment.
Panwum Naomi, Senior Business Advisor at the Bolgatanga Business Advisory Center, emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting, “The distribution of these startup kits to the beneficiaries marks a pivotal moment in their entrepreneurial journey. We are optimistic that the skills and tools provided will enable them to not only improve their livelihoods but also contribute to national development.”
Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Rex Asanga, praised the BizBox program as being aligned with the government’s goals to reduce unemployment. “Through training and the provision of resources, we are empowering our youth to create their own jobs and support economic growth in the region,” he stated.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1Mhz | Joshua Asaah | Bolgatanga
