A total of 54 youth have benefited from the GEA/BADEA Entrepreneurship Programme, in ginger processing and fashion design in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.
It was implemented by the Ghana Enterprises Agency in collaboration with the Arab Bank and the Bank of Ghana.
Madam Juliana Bemah Adubofour, the Director, Women Entrepreneurship Development, Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), noted that the main purpose of the programme was to give employable skills to the youth between the ages of 18 and 35 years.
She said the Agency aimed at developing and growing the businesses of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.
Madam Adubofour said the skills offered to the beneficiaries should be able to help them establish their businesses, adding that based on assessments, it was evident that the trainees had gained skills that were impressive.
She urged them to put the skills to good use, create their own businesses, and try to employ others in their communities.
Madam Adubofour said there would be future training in digital marketing to help the beneficiaries expand their scope and access the market beyond Hohoe.
Mr Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, the Hohoe Constituency Member of Parliament (MP), noted that the government could not employ all job seekers nationwide, hence the focus and investment in the entrepreneurial sector.
He said growing the local economy would be impossible if no support was made to invest in entrepreneurial skills for many, including the youth.
Mr Tsekpo hinted of an establishment of a ginger factory in the constituency, with plans far advanced, adding that it would provide more opportunities in the production, processing and marketing sectors.
He commended the GEA for the initiative and the participants.
Mr Prosper Kumi, the Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), noted that unemployment would be reduced if beneficiaries utilised the skills they acquired during the training.
He said the government was interested in supporting businesses, but its success depended on beneficiaries and what good they made from such programmes.
Mr Kumi admonished the beneficiaries to add value to whatever they were doing, presenting good images of themselves by meeting the deadlines of clients.
Some ginger processed products were ginger powder, ginger cake, and ginger drinks.
