In a collaborative effort between the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and the Mastercard Foundation, the ambitious “Business In A Box” (BIZBOX) initiative has been unveiled in Damongo, the capital of the Savannah Region. This unveiling, which took place on Tuesday, 20th February 2024 at the Damongo Community Centre, included the introduction of the project to participants, marking a significant stride towards empowering Ghanaian youth by equipping them with crucial skills and resources.
The BIZBOX project sets out to bolster 250,000 youth throughout Ghana across various sectors such as agriculture, agribusiness, tourism, creative industries, electrical work, woodwork, and joinery. It targets individuals aged between 15 and 35, alongside those with disabilities, women-owned enterprises, and youth-led businesses, aligning with the Mastercard Foundation’s vision to enable 3 million young individuals to access meaningful employment by 2030.
During the launch address, Mrs. Kosi Yankey Ayeh, CEO of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, expressed confidence in achieving the set goal of reaching 21,000 youth, with 70% being young women and 10% individuals with disabilities in the Savannah region. She stressed the importance of collaboration with implementing partners to mobilize resources and foster an enabling environment for project execution.
Mrs. Yankey highlighted that the BIZBOX Project builds on the achievements of the Young Africa Works Project, which generated 94,000 jobs for Ghanaian youth between 2020 and 2022. Focused on providing skills development, mentoring, coaching, access to markets, and regulatory assistance, the new initiative aims to support 125,000 young men and women with start-up kits to kickstart new businesses and enhance livelihoods.
Acknowledging the significant role of youth in national development, Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril, the Savannah Regional Minister, commended the government’s dedication to tackling youth unemployment through initiatives like the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme and GEAs Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Program (YEEP).
Madam Adam Christy Afisha, CEO of Christy’s Favoured Clothing and a beneficiary of prior GEA and Mastercard Foundation initiatives, shared her success story during the event, illustrating how the support she received facilitated the expansion of her business and the training of 14 apprentices. She urged fellow youth to seize the opportunities presented by the BIZBOX project.
The launch of the “Business In A Box” project signifies a concerted endeavor to create an enabling environment for youth development and entrepreneurship in Ghana, paving the way for sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
