YEO donates start-up kits to young entrepreneurs in Obuasi East

Over 50 beneficiaries of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in the Obuasi East Municipality have received essential equipment to launch their entrepreneurial careers.

Hon. Faustina Amissah, the Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi East, presented the items, which included drilling machines, hair dryers, auto repair kits, safety gear, and makeup kits, to empower the budding entrepreneurs.

The beneficiaries received the equipment after completing a six-month skills training program, during which they gained expertise in plumbing, vehicle servicing, beauty care, hairdressing, and woodworking.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Hon. Amissah praised the beneficiaries for their dedication and commitment to acquiring valuable skills. She highlighted the government’s efforts to create opportunities for young people, noting the introduction of initiatives such as Free SHS, TVET programs, and apprenticeship schemes.

She explained that the provision of start-up kits was part of the government’s broader strategy to empower skilled youth and stimulate the local economy. “These tools will enable you to establish yourselves as entrepreneurs and contribute meaningfully to your communities,” she stated.

Hon. Amissah urged Ghanaians to support the continuity of such programs by voting for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming elections. She also encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of their kits, emphasizing, “Don’t keep these tools idle; use them effectively to build sustainable businesses.”

The Municipal Director of YEA, Mr. Mike Afoakwa, reiterated that the beneficiaries had undergone a rigorous six-month training program and received accredited certificates from TVET and NVTI, enhancing their global employability. He added that YEA provided each participant with a monthly stipend of GH₵500 throughout the training period.

Mr. Afoakwa emphasized the equal opportunities offered by the YEA program, urging interested individuals to register when the online portal reopens. “This initiative is a key tool in reducing unemployment and equipping the youth with the skills to succeed,” he stated.

One of the beneficiaries, Priscilla Opoku, a beautician, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to YEA for the life-changing opportunity. “I was unemployed before, but thanks to YEA’s training program and these starter kits, I can now say goodbye to joblessness. I’m ready to start my own business,” she said with excitement.

The initiative underscores the government's commitment to youth empowerment and job creation, aiming to foster economic growth and self-reliance among Ghanaian youth.