MP launches “Skills-Up Ellembelle” program to empower youth entrepreneurship

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, has unveiled an innovative program dubbed “Skills-Up Ellembelle.”

This youth entrepreneurship training and empowerment initiative is specifically designed to cater for approximately 1,000 youths currently engaged in skills training, providing them with the means to complete their training and embark on group entrepreneurship ventures.

With a budget of GH¢2 million, the program’s ambitious goal is to offer comprehensive training in a diverse array of hands-on trades, encompassing mechanics, carpentry, electrical work, welding, masonry (construction), hairdressing, and fashion design.

Over the next year, the initiative will not only focus on skill development but also extend startup support to enable participants to establish their businesses.

During the launch event held in Ampain within the Ellembelle District, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah outlined the initiative’s core mission of addressing the escalating unemployment rates within the district. He highlighted the strategic approach of the Skills-Up Ellembelle Initiative, which primarily targets dedicated youth participants who commit to completing the program and are capable of attracting startup funding.

“The vision and common goal is to empower the youth of our district and equip them with the requisite skills to shape their future. Youth unemployment has become a national security issue, as recently announced by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana). This point was further amplified in the Ghana 2022 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES) Third Quarter Labour Statistics by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) released on May 3, 2023, which found that about 1.76 million persons were unemployed in the third quarter of 2022 alone. In our own district, figures for youth unemployment are estimated at about 50%. These alarming figures for unemployment pose a security risk to all stakeholders.

“In this vein, we are launching the Skills-Up Ellembelle program aimed at recruiting and training thousands of young people in various skills, empowering them with the entrepreneurial management skills they need, and following up with the financial support they need to establish their own businesses,” he said.

In addition to the training component, the initiative is uniquely focused on preparing participants for entrepreneurship success. It seeks not only to impart skills but also to position the youth to attract business opportunities.

“These trades have been carefully selected based on their demand in the local market and their potential for job creation. Our ultimate goal is to benefit about 1,000 aspiring youth in the Ellembelle constituency through this life-changing initiative to help them become job creators rather than job-seekers. Through “Skill-Up,” we envision fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and driving economic growth, enabling our youth to seize opportunities and contribute meaningfully to our society. In addition to the training, our mechanism will ensure collaboration among participants, leading them to establish enterprises or companies capable of drawing in funds and support.”

Edward Arthur, the Ellembelle District Director of the Ghana Enterprise Agency, expressed his enthusiasm for the program’s potential, emphasizing the intrinsic link between youth empowerment, self-reliance, and job creation. He urged young individuals to leverage the initiative to acquire valuable skills that would equip them for success in their future endeavors.

Praising Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah’s commitment to the cause, Mr. Arthur noted that possessing skills enhances the likelihood of receiving startup support from the Ghana Enterprise Agency. He encouraged participants to wholeheartedly engage with the Skills-Up Ellembelle program to gain the necessary skills and qualifications that would enable them to secure startup capital.

To underscore his dedication to the initiative, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah facilitated payments to the various master trainers during the launch event. This demonstration of commitment was well-received by beneficiaries of the Skills-Up Ellembelle Initiative, including Nana Fofole, Chief of Ampain, and the program’s participants.