Source:tolonradio.com/Hamza Lansah Lolly
The Nantong District Assembly has presented startup kits to 107 apprentices who have completed 3 months skills training and apprenticeships in various trades under the Ghana Enterprise Agency Business In A Box project.
The beneficiaries also received certificates.
The beneficiaries include 19 hairdressers, 46 tailors, 5 auto mechanics, 10 welders, 3 barbers, 9 carpenters, 15 weavers and 5 electricians.
The Business In A Box (BizBox) Project is a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA). A 4-year Project is to create dignified and fulfilling jobs for 250,000 young people in Ghana, with 70% being women and 10% Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by 2027.
According to the Nantong District Director of GEA, Mr Abdul Amin Abdul Basit the synergy of this partnership lies within the Agency’s mandate as the apex body to promote and develop Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana and the Foundation’s vision for Ghana; to enable 3 million young women and men access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
He said, the aimed of the project is to create jobs for the youth between 15 to 35 years, “we started with sensitization and open an online portal for the beneficiaries to apply. We took them through technical skills and development training alongside managerial training to propel them for the job market”.
He hinted that, the project also provide monthly allowances to trainee masters from the various trades to enhance their capacity.
Mr Abdul Basit noted that, this is the first batch of apprentices graduating under the Business in a Box project.
GEA District Director advised the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired under the program to improve their livelihoods. He again urged beneficiaries to practice good record keeping.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Member of Parliament for Nantong Hon Alhaji Hardi Tuferu urged the beneficiaries to use the startup kits to improve their lot.
He called on the people to preach peace as the December 7 election approaches.
The Deputy Northern Regional Manager, Madam Henrietta Zaato Norgah, speaking on behalf of the CEO of GEA thanked MasterCard Foundation for their partnership and commitment to empower the youth of the country.
She said the Government of Ghana, under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, remains steadfast in its commitment in providing sustainable employment opportunities for the youth in the country.
Madam Henrietta revealed that the Ghana Enterprises Agency since 2017, had facilitated the creation of over 109,471 jobs with an impressive 67% beneficiaries’ being women.
Yakubu Amina, a beneficiary of the project thanked the Ghana Enterprises Agency for the support and pledge to use the startup kits to improve her livelihood.
Madam Osman Abiba, a tailor master on behalf of master trainers expressed their profound gratitude to the Nantong District Business Advisory Centre/Ghana Enterprise Agency and managers of the project for the support.
According to her, the startup kits will go a long way to help the artisan graduates establish their own businesses.