By Solomon Gumah, GNA
Tamale, Sept 20, GNA – Professor Alidu Mahama Seidu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central, has launched two initiatives aimed at empowering women and young people in the constituency through enterprise development, skills training and employment creation.
The initiatives dubbed: “Lebgimsim Enterprise Fund” and the “Professor Alidu Mahama Seidu Skills and Innovation Academy”, seek to provide financial and technical support to women to establish and expand their businesses while equipping young people with practical skills and resources to create sustainable livelihoods.
The initiatives are expected to target successive cohorts of women and young people in the Tamale Central Constituency as part of efforts to promote entrepreneurship, skills development and economic empowerment.
Professor Seidu, speaking at the launch of the initiatives in Tamale, said the first cohort of the Lebgimsim Enterprise Fund comprised 60 women, who had been divided into three groups.
He said each group would receive GH¢40,000 to enable beneficiaries to establish new businesses or expand existing ones.
He explained that the beneficiaries would also receive training in resource management, business branding and digital marketing to strengthen their entrepreneurial and business management skills.
He said the initiative was designed not only to provide financial assistance but also to equip beneficiaries with the knowledge and skills required to manage their businesses effectively and make them sustainable.
Professor Seidu said the youth component of the initiative had also commenced with the first cohort focusing on Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
He said beneficiaries of the first cohort received computers and start-up support after completing their training to enable them to apply their skills and establish income-generating activities.
He said the second cohort of the youth skills programme would begin training the following week with participants to receive training based on their areas of interest.
He said the beneficiaries would, in addition to the training, receive the necessary tools and start-up capital to enable them to establish their own businesses.
He said the initiatives formed part of efforts to address unemployment and economic challenges among women and young people in the constituency by providing them with opportunities to become economically self-reliant.
Professor Seidu said about GH¢3 million was expected to be invested in the two initiatives over the next four to five years.
He said beneficiaries would be monitored and evaluated to determine the impact of the programmes, identify challenges and improve the implementation of subsequent cohorts.
He also acknowledged initiatives introduced by the former MP for Tamale Central, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, saying he was committed to protecting and advancing the positive legacy left by his predecessor.
Madam Nafisah Alhassan, a beneficiary of the Lebgimsim Enterprise Fund, commended the MP for introducing the initiative and providing women with financial and capacity-building support.
She said the assistance would help beneficiaries strengthen their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
GNA
Edited by Albert Futukpor/Benjamin Mensah
Caption: Professor Seidu with some of the beneficiaries
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