The Mastercard Foundation, in collaboration with the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), has in a bid to empower the youth and foster entrepreneurship in Ghana, unveiled the Business In a Box (BizBox) project in Damongo, situated in the west Gonja Municipality of the Savannah region.
The launch event, held at the Damongo Community Center on February 20th, 2024, centered on the theme “Empowering the Youth for a Better and Brighter Future.”
The BizBox project is an extension of the successful Young Africa Works Project, a joint initiative by GEA and Mastercard Foundation, aimed at providing youth with skills development, access to start-up kits, social networks, institutional strengthening, and policy support.
During a welcome address, Mrs. Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, CEO of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, highlighted the project’s goal of supporting 250,000 young women and men, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), with a focus on equipping 125,000 of them with start-up kits to establish new businesses and improve livelihoods.
Emphasizing the importance of youth empowerment, Mrs. Yankey-Ayeh reiterated that the project aims to provide a comprehensive framework for youth to succeed as entrepreneurs and contribute to regional and national economic growth. She said the BizBox project notably, allocates 70 percent of its benefits to women and 10 percent to PWDs.
The Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril, expressed concern over the high unemployment rate among the youth and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and job creation. He cited programs such as the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program and GEA’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Program as evidence of the government’s dedication to fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Madam Adam Christy Afisha, CEO of Christy’s Favoured Clothing and a beneficiary of the Young Africa Works project, shared her success story, highlighting how the initiative enabled her to expand her business and train apprentices. She commended GEA and Mastercard Foundation for their support and urged fellow youth to seize the opportunities presented by the BizBox project.
The launch of the BizBox project in Damongo represents a significant step towards empowering youth, promoting entrepreneurship, and driving socio-economic development in Ghana’s Savannah region. With tailored support and resources, young entrepreneurs are poised to unlock their potential and contribute to a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Source: nkilgifmonline.com
