The Ghana Enterprises Agency, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has given out 3,000 Start-Up Kits to recipients who have completed their apprenticeship program.
One of GEA’s major programs, the Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Programme, houses the GEA/Mastercard Foundation Young Africa Works Project (YEEP). YEEP is an improved and job-focused version of all of GEA’s apprenticeship and technical training programs, designed to provide employable skills to the teeming youth while also assisting our existing businesses in creating jobs.
Beneficiaries who completed a six-month training program in Dressmaking, Hairdressing, Barbering, Leather Works, Auto Electricals, Welding & Fabrication, and other fields are given the materials they need to establish their own business.
Mrs. Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, GEA’s Chief Executive Officer, claimed that the organization’s mandate is to promote and grow the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Ghana in order to create jobs and wealth through timely interventions.
This, she observed, is in line with the government’s industrialization agenda, which aims to transform Ghana into an entrepreneurial economy and generate good, dignified, and long-term jobs for Ghana’s youth.
“Today’s gathering symbolizes that dedication as we distribute Start-up Kits to Project beneficiaries,” she continued.
She stated that a total of 8,000 beneficiaries who were assigned to approved GEA Skilled Crafts Persons (SCPs) across the country had completed technical training as well as a soft skill in Financial Literacy, Bookkeeping, Social Media Marketing, Customer Care, and Banking, allowing them to become better business managers. Beneficiaries were also given assistance in taking NVTI exams.
Mrs. Yankey-Ayeh noted that the Greater Accra Region’s ceremony will be reproduced in the Central, Eastern, Savanna, Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo, and Bono East regions tomorrow.
The project aims to create 39,000 quality jobs for young people and is divided into three parts: ICE (Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship), A2E (Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship), and MSME Business Acceleration (MBA).
The project’s final phase has resulted in the creation of 28,483 employment.
“I applaud all of the recipients for their devotion and attention to this worthwhile course, and I encourage them to use the goods as intended.” Our doors are always open for any kind of assistance that may help you develop your business and help Ghana grow.” Mrs. Yankey-Ayeh went on to say.