By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), Nov. 08, GNA – A total of 250 young men and women, who have completed skills training and apprenticeships in various trades have received start-up kits, to establish their own businesses to help boost youth entrepreneurship.
This initiative, which is part of the ‘Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship’ component of the ‘Business in a Box’ project, a collaboration between the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and the MasterCard Foundation, aims at equipping young artisans with essential tools to open their own workshops.
Mr Divine R. K. Bosson, the Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), who highlighted the importance of making such programmes locally accessible to benefit young people in the Municipality.
He commended the government’s focus on sustainable employment for the youth, emphasising the commitment of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to youth empowerment.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Mr Bosson expressed confidence in their potential to utilise the resources provided to build sustainable businesses, urging them to honor the trust and investment made in them.
He also spoke about the government’s dedication to promoting entrepreneurship, which he described as vital to economic growth under the Fourth Republic.
“The success of this program and the effective use of your start-up kits depend on your dedication and how you manage your work,” he advised.
“Be honest, hardworking, respectful, and always put your clients first. This is key to growing your business and impacting your community”.
In addition, Mr Seth Kwamla Klutse, the Regional Director of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, delivering his remarks on behalf of GEA Chief Executive Officer Mrs Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, noted that since 2017, the Agency had facilitated the creation of over 109,471 jobs, with an impressive 67 per cent of beneficiaries being women.
He urged the new entrepreneurs to use their start-up kits wisely and reminded them of the support available through the Business Advisory Centers (BAC) whenever they faced challenges.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the government and the MCE and pledged their commitment to make the most of this opportunity.
The start-up kits distributed include tools such as hairdryers, sewing machines with accessories, tiling machines, gas cylinders and ovens, head pans, shovels, aluminum pans, and more.
These essentials would enable the beneficiaries to transition from apprenticeships into fully-fledged entrepreneurs, bringing lasting economic benefits to themselves and the Ho communities at large.
Mr Bosson encouraged the young entrepreneurs to support his parliamentary candidacy and Vice President Bawumia’s presidential run, with the promise that the government will continue to champion initiatives that promoted entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic empowerment across Ghana.
GNA