Entertainment
Youstart Kicks Off April: Pilots Successful- Ofori-Atta
The government is pursuing a policy direction to create an enterprise-driven economy to generate jobs for the teeming youth, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has stated.
For that reason, he said, it would continue to strengthen the links between education and job market stakeholders and provide access to finance, skills and markets for young entrepreneurs, so that the private sector would be well resourced.
The minister said in the face of Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) findings that 1.5 million people, out of the 11.5 million economically active population, were unemployed, the government had responded with YouStart, a comprehensive initiative to provide an effective solution to Ghana’s youth unemployment challenge.
At a business pitch in Accra on Wednesday, March 2,2022, organised as the final part of the pilot phase of the YouStart programme, Mr Ofori-Atta said the initiative, which would start from next month, would create about one million jobs for the youth in the next three years.
The GSS estimates the unemployment rate among the population 15 years and older at 13.4 per cent.
Background
YouStart, the government’s flagship youth entrepreneurship support programme, will take off next month after the programme was successfully piloted in the northern and the southern sectors of the country.
The northern sector had its pilot in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, while in the southern sector it was piloted in Accra.
The initiative is expected to be a vehicle for supporting young entrepreneurs to gain access to capital, training, technical skills and mentoring to enable them to launch and operate their own businesses.
The pilot was to test the overall feasibility of the initiative and its potential impact.
The implementing agencies brought the beneficiaries of the pilot programme from across their regional zones.
The participants received training and funding support to enable them to scale up and expand their businesses.
Business pitch
The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) will implement YouStart with up to GH¢10 billion government funding.
The pilot pitch event in Accra provided a platform for beneficiaries of the pilot, such as the IoT Network Hub, Packway Ghana Limited, SheaMe and many others drawn from all five zones of the country and from sectors such as agribusiness and technology, to pitch their business ideas and demonstrate how government support for their businesses will help create opportunities for the youth of the country.
Ken Ofori-Atta (5th from left), Dr John Kumah (6th from left), his deputy, with other dignitaries after the business pitch
Present at the event were the two Deputy ministers of Finance, Dr John Ampontuah Kumah and Abena Osei Asare, key government officials from the Ministry of Finance, as well as representatives from the GEA and the NEIP.
Rising unemployment
Mr Ofori-Atta said the country’s unemployment rate was inching up, occasioned in part by the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, he said, the government had put in place measures, including the YouStart programme, to address the concern.
Mr Ofori-Atta explained that the programme was expected to remove the primary impediment to the growth of enterprises in the country and improve access to credit by young Ghanaian entrepreneurs who were in need of support to start or expand their businesses.
“So, today, the government is acting with a plan that gives our people confidence to pursue their ambitions. Our strategy is a simple one — back hardworking people, create local businesses and support existing ones,” the finance minister stated.
Modalities
YouStart is meant to support start-ups with founders under 35 years, university and high school leavers with unique and innovative ideas and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) run by the youth.
Specifically, YouStart will support youth-led enterprises with soft loans of up to GH¢50,000 to help start-ups (in particular by young graduates and school leavers) and small businesses to expand.
Others will also get starter packs (soft loans tied to equipment acquisition) of up to GH¢50,000 for individuals and GH¢100,000 for associations and groups and a standardised loan package of between GH¢100,000 and GH¢400,000 at concessional rates for SMEs from the financial services sector.
Additionally, it will provide skills development, entrepreneurial support and business advisory services for young businesses, provide access to competitive credit and starter packs and create access to markets for businesses, including portals to facilitate “digital linkages” between youth-led enterprises and other businesses and relevant government agencies.
How to take part
A website will be announced at the launch of the programme next month to receive applications from potential beneficiaries.
Applicants can also walk into any of the offices of the GEA, the NEIP and any of the partner financial institutions to pick up forms to apply.
Source: graphiconline.com
Organisers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards 27 have announced “A Touch of Glitter as the official red carpet theme for this year’s ceremony.’’
In a statement issued on Thursday, April 16, Charterhouse indicated that the theme is designed to promote elegance and creativity while maintaining a refined fashion standard.
According to the organisers, the red carpet remains one of the most anticipated moments of the awards, offering artistes, celebrities, and guests the opportunity to express themselves through fashion while celebrating Ghanaian identity.
They explained that for this year’s edition, attendees are encouraged to include subtle elements of shimmer in their outfits.
This, they noted, can be done through fabric choices, embellishments, or accessories, with the focus on elegance rather than excess.
The statement added that the red carpet event will take place on May 9, 2026, at 7:06 pm, ahead of the main awards ceremony.
Head of Public Events and Communications at Charterhouse, Robert Klah, noted that the theme invites guests to explore creativity with sophistication while maintaining a polished appearance.
The organisers further assured that the event will continue to deliver a blend of music, fashion, and culture, making it a key highlight on Ghana’s entertainment calendar.
By Jacob Aggrey
The fourth edition of the fast-rising fashion and cultural event, the Slit and Kaba Festival, is set to take place on May 1 at the Legon City Mall in Accra.
Organised by Roots Africa, the festival aims to promote Ghanaian culture through the traditional Kaba and Slit outfit, known for its vibrant African prints and unique designs.
Speaking to The Spectator Agoro ahead of this year’s edition, dubbed “Old School Kaba and Slit Meets Batakari,” the Founder of Roots Africa, Mrs. Deborah Kabutey-Djisah, popularly known as Manye Korngo, said the event has gained significant popularity over the years and promised an even bigger experience this time around.
“The intention is to revive old-school fashion while celebrating our revered Fugu, also known as Batakari, which has gained massive exposure in recent times,” she stated.
“It is also an opportunity to showcase our culture and demonstrate to young people how fashion has evolved over the years,” she added.
She further called on vendors to come on board to display their products and services, noting that thousands of patrons are expected to attend the event.
“Don’t miss the chance to have your brand featured on our flyers, make incredible sales, and be part of an unforgettable experience,” she urged.
According to her, the previous edition was a great success, attracting patrons from across the country. Due to the growing interest, a larger venue had to be secured to accommodate the anticipated crowd.
“I’m expecting ten times more people than we had at last year’s festival,” she added.
