The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has distributed start-up kits to 481 young people in the Tamale Metropolis under its Business in a Box (BizBox) initiative.

The intervention, implemented through the Access to Agricultural Entrepreneurship (AA2E) and Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship (A2E) programmes, is aimed at equipping beneficiaries with employable skills and resources to start and expand their businesses.

The start-up kits covered various trades, including rice processing, fruit processing, food processing, masonry, plumbing, auto mechanics, electrical works, barbering, and carpentry.

Margaret Ansei, Chief Executive Officer of GEA, addressing stakeholders and beneficiaries during the handing over ceremony, said the initiative formed part of the vision of John Dramani Mahama to ensure that young people were gainfully employed to drive holistic national development.

She touched on the importance of technical and vocational skills in nation-building, adding that empowering the youth with employable skills was critical to reducing crime, violence, and unemployment.

Ms Ansei assured beneficiaries of continuous support, including access to grants, loans, technical assistance, and other business development services, to complement their efforts if they effectively utilised the kits.

“If you are doing well with these start-up kits, subsequently we will come up with other support to you like grants, loans, including technical and other business development support,” she said.

She cautioned beneficiaries against misusing the items and urged them to put the kits to productive use. “Do not keep these start-up kits in your bedrooms; do not sell them when things are difficult. Use them to support yourselves and to create more employment opportunities in your communities,” she advised.

Alhaji Adam Abubakari Takoro, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, described the initiative as a significant milestone in promoting entrepreneurship and creating sustainable livelihoods.

He noted that the diversity of trades among beneficiaries reflected the vast opportunities within the local economy and underscored the importance of skills development in driving inclusive growth.

He urged beneficiaries to see support as an investment in their future and a call to apply their acquired knowledge diligently. “This support is more than just a set of tools; it is an investment in your future. I urge you to make the most of these start-up kits, grow your businesses, and contribute meaningfully to the development of our metropolis,” he said.

Alhaji Takoro reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, adding that it would continue to collaborate with stakeholders to expand opportunities for skills training and enterprise development.

Professor Seidu Alidu Mahama, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central Constituency, lauded the initiative as a strategic approach to addressing youth unemployment.

He described the programme as a worthwhile investment in the future of young people and encouraged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity to build sustainable livelihoods.

The BizBox project forms part of broader efforts by GEA and its partners to enhance entrepreneurship and improve livelihoods among young people across the country.