Upper East: Women, Persons with Disabilities to Benefit from Skills Training, Business Support under GW-YESCO Project

By – Prosper Adankai

Women and persons with disabilities in the Upper East Region are expected to benefit from vocational skills training, business development support, access to funding and start-up equipment under the Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion (GW-YESCO) Project

The initiative, known as the Empowered Initiative, seeks to address barriers limiting the economic participation of women and persons with disabilities by equipping them with practical skills and resources to establish sustainable businesses and improve their livelihoods

Speaking at the official launch of the initiative in Bolgatanga, Miss Joan Selassie Ahiawordor said the programme was designed to create inclusive economic opportunities and provide beneficiaries with the necessary support to achieve financial independence

She explained that although many women and persons with disabilities possess the ambition and potential to become economically independent, they continue to face challenges accessing vocational training, business development services and viable economic opportunities

According to her, the Empowered Initiative would go beyond technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to provide beneficiaries with the confidence, knowledge and practical support required to explore market opportunities and establish resilient businesses

Miss Ahiawordor said the broader GW-YESCO project was being implemented in seven regions of Ghana: Upper East, Upper West, Northern, North East, Savannah, Central and Eastern regions

The project has two major components: the CREATE Initiative and the Empowered Initiative

While the CREATE Initiative focuses on developing skills in ethical content creation, cultural heritage promotion, hospitality and tourism, the Empowered Initiative concentrates on vocational training and business development for women and persons with disabilities

She encouraged prospective beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity, have confidence in their abilities and use the skills acquired as stepping stones towards economic independence

She also called on traditional authorities, local government leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support the full participation of women and persons with disabilities in the programme

Training, equipment and access to funding

Director of Research and Innovation at the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr Casper Sunday Kampoli, said the initiative would provide comprehensive support to beneficiaries, from skills training to business establishment and market access

He explained that participants would be trained in various vocational and technical areas, including fashion design, weaving, basketry, shea butter processing, waste recycling, electric vehicle and motorbike repairs, as well as road maintenance

Mr Kampoli said beneficiaries would receive appropriate start-up equipment and toolkits after completing their training

For instance, participants trained in fashion design would receive sewing machines, while those engaged in shea butter processing and weaving would receive equipment to support their respective businesses

He further disclosed that beneficiaries would have opportunities to access funding through designated financial support schemes under the project, including the Ghana Cooperative Fund and the ARPF Fund, with interest rates ranging between eight and ten per cent

Beyond training and financial support, Mr Kampoli said NEIP would assist beneficiaries to formalise their businesses through registration with the Office of the Registrar of Companies and facilitate the opening of business accounts with banks and other financial institutions

He added that the programme would also help businesses secure the necessary regulatory certifications and licences from institutions such as the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority and Ghana Export Promotion Authority

According to him, these interventions would enable beneficiaries to produce goods that meet required standards and explore opportunities in both local and international markets

Mentorship and market linkages

Mr Kampoli said the initiative would provide experienced mentors to guide beneficiaries in their respective areas of business, drawing on the expertise of people with established experience in fashion, catering, weaving and other trades

He noted that the programme would also facilitate market linkages by connecting beneficiaries to potential buyers, institutions and businesses that could create demand for their products and services

For example, women engaged in shea butter processing could be connected to businesses and commercial outlets in Accra, while trained fashion designers and tailors could be linked to hotels, schools and other institutions requiring their services

“We are not just training you and allowing you to go. We are providing comprehensive support,” he emphasised

He said the ultimate objective was to ensure that beneficiaries translated the skills acquired into viable businesses capable of generating income, creating employment and supporting their families

Commitment to inclusive economic growth

Miss Ahiawordor expressed appreciation to the Government of Ghana and the African Development Bank for their financial support and commitment to the implementation of the GW-YESCO project

She also acknowledged the contributions of local implementing partners and other stakeholders whose collaboration was helping to advance the initiative

She urged all partners to maintain effective coordination to ensure that the training programmes and business development services addressed the practical needs of beneficiaries

She stressed that the success of the initiative should not be measured only by the number of people trained or the ceremonies organised, but by the businesses established, skills mastered, lives transformed and families supported

Miss Ahiawordor subsequently declared the Empowered Initiative under the GW-YESCO project officially launched, marking another step towards promoting inclusive employment, entrepreneurship and social cohesion in the Upper East Region

Source – gbcuraonline.com