By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, Oct. 5, GNA – The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) Nkabom Collaborative has held a three-day retreat to assess programme implementation and strengthen pathways for transitioning trained youth into employment and sustainable enterprises.
The retreat, held in Koforidua, brought together the project team to review progress, identify implementation challenges, and develop strategies to improve outcomes for beneficiaries.
The Nkabom Collaborative is a partnership involving UESD, the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ashesi University, the Association of Ghana Industries and McGill University.
Supported by the Mastercard Foundation, the initiative seeks to equip 55,000 Ghanaian youth, particularly women and vulnerable groups, with skills in entrepreneurship, agro-waste management and aquaculture.
Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson, Principal Investigator of the UESD Nkabom Collaborative Project, said the retreat focused on how training in areas such as aquaculture, compost development and fish technology could lead to employment and self-employment opportunities.
He said the project was strengthening mentorship, business incubation, job matching and industry partnerships to support beneficiaries after training.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson noted that the team reviewed the Year Three Project Implementation Plan (PIP), including its strategic objectives, key performance indicators, and annual targets.
He identified coordination and procurement as key areas requiring attention.
According to him, some project equipment had to be imported, making early submission of procurement requests and strict adherence to national procedures essential to avoid delays.
He said the team was also working to secure the resources needed for effective implementation.
Under the Year Three plan, the Collaborative aims to train 500 young people, with at least 200 expected to secure employment or become self-employed.
The project will provide mentorship and career coaching to 300 participants, engage 40 business mentors and advisors, and admit 20 youth- and women-led enterprises into incubation.
Another 50 enterprises will receive mentorship and coaching through the UESD Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
The project also plans to register 500 beneficiaries under its job-matching component, facilitate 100 internship and apprenticeship placements, and link at least 200 beneficiaries to employment or enterprise opportunities.
It further targets the formal registration of 20 enterprises, support for 15 enterprises to access finance or investment, and market linkages for 20 enterprises.
The Collaborative also aims to mobilise at least GH¢1 million in investment.
Professor Edward Debrah Wiafe, UESD Project Coordinator for the Nkabom Collaborative, said about 200 young people had already been trained.
He explained that the project was now concentrating on creating practical pathways for beneficiaries to enter the labour market.
Prof. Wiafe said the initiative would strengthen industry partnerships, internships, mentorships, and access to markets.
He added that training and start-up support would also be extended to underserved, deprived, and island communities.
According to him, beneficiaries seeking to establish businesses would receive coaching in bookkeeping, basic accounting, and record-keeping.
Prof. Wiafe said the project was promoting sustainable employment and entrepreneurship rather than dependence on government support.
He explained that the initiative also encouraged the conversion of agricultural waste into useful products such as biochar, creating jobs while addressing environmental challenges in the Eastern Region.
The retreat also focused on inclusion and post-training monitoring.
Women, persons with disabilities, rural youth and other underserved groups are expected to benefit from the training-to-work pathway.
Beneficiaries and enterprises will be tracked after six, 12 and 24 months to assess employment outcomes, income levels, business growth, and job creation.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporting by Emelia B. Addae
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