By: Michael Kofi Kenetey
The Young Africa Works Project, which is a partnership between the Ghana Enterprises Agency, GEA, and the MasterCard Foundation, MCF, have supported 436 graduate artisans in the Eastern Region with startup kits worth millions of cedis
Handing over of the startup kits to the graduate artisans went with certificates that affirmed their successful completion of a two-year Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship component under the MCF project.
The activity, which was marked to celebrate the graduands for their achievement in Akim Oda in the Birim Central Municipality, was the second Eastern Regional Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship graduation ceremony held in the region.
In an interview with GBC Sunrise FM, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Kosi Yankey-Ayeh mentioned that the MasterCard Foundation Project has trained more than 1,300 youth in the Eastern Region out of the 12,000 trained nationwide.
”The beneficiaries have been given skills of various trades and supported with the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) Certification so that they can improve themselves”.
She said beneficiaries would be monitored, to record progress.
The CEO called on MCF to always assist the Agency in providing more equipment to the people.
The Programme Leader for MasterCard Foundation, Gottfried Odamtten-Sowah, said the foundation envisions that by 2030, the Young Africa Works Project will enable more than three million youth in Ghana to secure employment.
He urged the graduates to transfer the skills and knowledge they acquired to the young ones in their localities so that the Community and the entire nation would benefit.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to GEA and MCF for their relentless effort made to them.
The artisans were from seven Municipal and District Assemblies in the Region, which include, Fanteakwa South District, Abuakwa South, Kwahu West, Birim Central, New Juaben South Municipality, Suhum Municipality and Nsawam Adoagyiri.
The beneficiaries include, welders, auto mechanics, electricians, dressmakers, hairdressers, beauticians, caterers, baking and confectionery were given gas oven, cooker, flour, sewing machines, portable household mini welder, heavy-duty toolbox, and hair drying devices.
