More than GH¢5 million grant has been awarded to 99 Small, Micro and Medium-sized (SMEs) businesses in Ghana, under the SNV Ghana GrEEn project funded by the European Union.
Additionally, under the skills development component, over 6,500 people had acquired basic life, business and technical skills through training and internships, with 4,900 receiving placement to increase their skills in energy, agri-food and water systems.
The GrEEn Project Manager, SNV Netherland Development Organisation, Laouali Sadda, disclosed these at SNV Ghana 2023 GrEEn Regional Job Fair which ended in Takoradi in the Western Region, on Tuesday.
It was on the theme “Career prospects in TVET: The nexus of green jobs for inclusive transformational development”.
The event attracted 500 job seekers, employers and exhibitors from the circular economy with over 40 businesses participating to offer jobs to the youth and returning migrants.
Mr Sadda said the project dubbed “Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana” (GrEEn), aimed at inspiring young people to seek, explore green job opportunities with solutions in technical and vocational training.
He mentioned that, since 2019, the GrEEn project had given practical employable skills to improve efficiency in the green economy through an integrated approach in the Western and Ashanti regions.
Besides, the project, he said, had reviewed the curriculum (CV) of the youth, given them career guidance, adding that, “SNV has since 2020, organised 14 job fairs in eight districts and regional six levels in partnership with Western and Ashanti regions.”
The 2022 job fair, attended by 1,600 participants, Mr Sadda revealed, created 130 jobs with 75 in the Western Region.
He said, SNV Ghana and EU, through the GrEEN project, also promoted green local businesses and that, under the Incubation and Acceleration Programme, 125 Small and medium enterprises had received business advisory services.
This, he explained, was to help to fine-tune their business models and also enable them access financial investment for them to grow and create jobs, locally.
Since 1992, Mr Sadda said, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation interventions had focused on energy and water sectors and that, in 2022, 6.2 million people across 24 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America benefitted from the projects.
In 2019, SNV Ghana started the GrEEn projects with UN Capital Development Fund, Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development with funding from the European Union, to promote climate- resilient growth of the local economy in Western and Ashanti regions.
Speaking on the theme, the Head of Corporate Affairs, Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (GTVET) Service, Enoch Amegbletor, emphasised on TVET as critical tools to reduce unemployment among the youth in Ghana.
Regional Chairman, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Mr J.C Garbrah, advised the youth and new entrepreneurs to be time conscious, punctual, disciplined and serious with their work.
Chairman of the fair, Takoradimanhene, Osahene Katakyie Busumakura II, described fairs and workshops as good avenues, but, noted that, what was lacking was the supposed outcomes, adding “we need to see tangible results and prospects.”
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
