Ghana jobs and skills project launched in Wenchi

A business development and entrepreneurship skills project has been launched in Wenchi.  

The program, dubbed Ghana Jobs and Skills Project (GJSP) is spearheaded and implemented by the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) and its subsidiary the Business Advisory Center (BAC). The project is a Government of Ghana initiative with funding support from the World Bank.

The launch was to herald the message of the Project and mobilize the public to take advantage. The launch was also to engage stakeholders to lead sensitization and advocacy in their communities.

Addressing Stakeholders at the launch to kick-start the Project in the Municipality, the Municipal Chief Executive Alexander Obour Kwadwo Damoah who delivered the Keynote Address canvassed for high patronage by urging the people in the Municipality to register in their numbers to benefit. He said the government's job creation agenda was still on course to enhance the socio-economic life of the citizenry. 

In a PowerPoint presentation to explain the Project, the Municipal Head of the Business Advisory Centre (BAC Wenchi ) Evelyn Yangnuu said the main objectives of the Project were to amongst other cardinals; provide Entrepreneurial skills, provide guidance and counseling to persons yet to start a business, those in apprenticeship to enable them to establish themselves, provide skills training and technical support to make beneficiaries self-employed and economically independent. This is part of the government's efforts to prioritize Technical, Vocational, Formal, and Non-Formal Sectors of the local economy to help reduce unemployment. 

 
The BAC Head also explained the eligibility requirements that qualify prospective applicants for the Project including
Ghanaian youth between the ages of 18 and 40,  years willing to start and operate a business, physically challenged persons (PWDs), persons already in business, and women entrepreneurs. Interested applicants should possess any of the National IDs (Ghana Card, Voter, Driver's License, Passport).

The Head Evelyn Yangnuu clarified that Training for successful applicants would be held in stages where committed participants at the final stage would be provided with competitive Grant support.  She disclosed that registration of interested persons had begun at the wenchi BAC Office while online application on the official portal would begin in November 2022. She urged Youth and Trade Association leaders as well as Identifiable Groups, all Stakeholders, and the general public to help in advocacy to mobilize the constituents for the Project. She emphasized that under the program everyone was covered as already existing business operators would also benefit from training on Value Addition to meet the growing demands of consumers. GEA would identify Skilled Crafts Persons, successful entrepreneurs, and business experts to serve as Mentors and Coaches.

The launch was highly attended by Trade Associations, Youth Groups, Religious Bodies, Traditional Authorities, Women Groups, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and Corporate Organisations.