Government Aims to Create One Million Jobs through Entrepreneurship Training
The government of Ghana has set its sights on creating one million jobs over the next three years through entrepreneurship initiatives, according to Minister of Trade and Industry K.T Hammond. The government will focus on providing training to build the entrepreneurial capacity of Ghanaians to enable them to seize income-generating opportunities and help address unemployment….
The government of Ghana has set its sights on creating one million jobs over the next three years through entrepreneurship initiatives, according to Minister of Trade and Industry K.T Hammond. The government will focus on providing training to build the entrepreneurial capacity of Ghanaians to enable them to seize income-generating opportunities and help address unemployment.
Under the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project, being implemented by the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), the Youstart Programme aims to build an entrepreneurial population by providing the key enablers that make entrepreneurship a success. These include access to finance and markets, mentorship, strategic partnerships, digital linkages, technical assistance, and business advisory support services.
The GEA is training around 7,420 participants in 212 centres across the country, with the project expected to train 5,000 Ghanaians in various entrepreneurship levels in 188 districts. The training will be done at three stages, with participants who reach the advanced stage and show promise in creating viable businesses allowed to apply for competitive business grants.
For the most part, Ghana’s unemployment situation has been exacerbated by a growing population, making entrepreneurial initiatives necessary to create jobs. The government views entrepreneurship as a means to economic, social, and environmental transformation of Ghana. It will enable young people to seize income-generating opportunities and help address unemployment.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry is committed to supporting the GEA to create a vibrant entrepreneurial economy by fostering the growth and development of small and medium-scale enterprises. Small and medium-scale enterprises are critical for increased export and taking full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
In a nutshell, the YouStart project is part of the government’s interventions to tackle the youth unemployment situation in Ghana. The World Bank is providing financing and technical support towards the implementation of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project, which aims to support skills development and job creation. The grants, in the form of capital, equipment, including startup kit, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions, and business formalisation, will help participants create viable businesses and contribute to Ghana’s economic growth.
