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Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has stated that the government’s YouStart program is anticipated to launch early in the next year.
The government is dedicating GHS200 million to ensuring that more young people are encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship, and it is collaborating with the World Bank to acquire investment totaling USD 150 million.
“The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) has been brought together as a cohesive unit to co-lead the District Entrepreneurship component of the YouStart,” Mr. Ofori-Atta said, delivering the 2024 Budget statement in Parliament on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
The Finance Minister indicated that as at “October, 2023, a total of 23,695 beneficiaries comprising 5,183 males and 18,512 females had completed the Basic Level training by the GEA under the YouStart Jobs and Skills project.
“Out of this number, 7,975 comprising 2,474 males and 5,501 females progressed and completed the Intermediate Level training, with 4,514 beneficiaries comprising 1,679 males and 2,835 females also progressing to the Advance Level.”
“GEA has commenced disbursing grants to beneficiaries who have completed the Intermediate and Advanced Levels,” he said further. The grant bids are still being evaluated.
It is anticipated that startup subsidies will be provided to at least “5,000 of the 1st batch of beneficiaries.”
Two thousand beneficiaries of the NEIP have received training through the government’s YouStart program.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
