YouStart: Over 4,000 young entrepreneurs receive GH₵51.8 million grants

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The government, through the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), has disbursed GH¢51,866,369.31 to 4,173 young entrepreneurs under the YouStart Ghana Jobs and Skills Project (GJSP).

The beneficiaries, selected from all 16 regions, were chosen through a comprehensive process.

In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, the Chief Executive Officer of GEA, Mrs. Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, praised the initiative as a testament to the government’s commitment to entrepreneurship.

She explained that, beyond financial assistance, beneficiaries also received mentorship and training in various districts.

According to her, some beneficiaries received up to GH¢30,000.

Mrs. Yankey-Ayeh noted that the beneficiaries included entrepreneurs who needed financial support to expand and others who were starting from scratch.

To ensure a fair selection process, she said that applicants submitted business plans to an independent committee for assessment.

“This is the third and largest phase of disbursement. There will be monitoring, along with mentoring, to ensure beneficiaries use the support appropriately. We need to track job creation,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Yankey-Ayeh dismissed assertions that the disbursement, occurring just 24 days before the December 7 election, is a political gimmick or vote-buying tactic.

The YouStart initiative, part of the Ghana CARES programme, aims to ease constraints for young entrepreneurs. Its primary goal is to create three million employment opportunities over the next three years.

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