Dansyn ISO, in partnership with Social Enterprise Ghana and WUSC, has launched a project known as ACTIVATE—a five-year initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation. The project, currently being implemented across Ghana, aims to equip youth aged 15 to 35 with skills in various areas of agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
In the Upper East Region, where Dansyn ISO is based, 260 youth—90% of whom are female—have been recruited and oriented to begin training in Hatchery, Processing and Marketing in Poultry, Fabrication of Agricultural Tools & Equipment, and Software Development. Participants will undergo three months of training, after which they will take competency-based tests and be awarded certificates in these short courses.
In an interview, Dr. Daniel Y. Nang, CEO of Dansyn ISO, highlighted the project’s practical approach to transforming vulnerable youth into skilled and self-reliant entrepreneurs. He noted that the training program is expected to significantly contribute to addressing youth unemployment and underemployment in the Upper East Region. He added that the project offers free tuition and stipends to cover transportation, specifically targeting youth aged 15 to 35.
“For this first year, we’ve recruited about 260 youth — 100 in poultry, 80 in tool fabrication, and 80 in software development. These are free tuition programs with stipends to cover transportation. We are focusing mainly on females who are school dropouts or unemployed graduates,” Dr. Nang explained.
He stressed that the initiative goes beyond skills acquisition and also emphasizes entrepreneurship and innovation.
“We expect the trainees to be committed, serious, and ready to innovate. Along the way, some of them may even exceed our expectations by bringing in individual innovations.”
Addressing concerns about the availability of opportunities to apply the skills acquired, Dr. Nang challenged the common belief that the Upper East Region lacks prospects. He emphasized that many societal problems present avenues for entrepreneurial solutions, which, when harnessed, can be turned into viable businesses.
“What is an opportunity? When there is a problem, and you find a solution—that is business,” he explained. “I met a poultry farmer doing very well; he now supplies eggs and even chicken to households. The opportunities are here; we just need to equip the youth with the right skills.”
Dr. Nang further noted that the project places a strong emphasis on mentorship and practical exposure. He indicated that after the initial three-month training, participants will be placed in institutions for internships to deepen their practical experience.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | Gerard Asagi | 101.1MHz | Bolgatanga
