President John Dramani Mahama yesterday took a major step towards fulfilling his agenda for the young people of the country with the launch of the Youth Enterprise Support (YES) initiative.
An initial amount of GH¢10 million has been set aside to be accesses by qualified youth.
Flagship youth programme
The initiative, which is Mr Mahama's flagship youth development programme, comes into fruition barely six months after he announced the decision at his State of the Nation address to Parliament.
And as he fulfilled the promise, the President said the government’s plans for the youth were on course.
He said the promise he made during his State of the Nation address was meant to support the youth with brilliant ideas to start their own businesses.
Qualification
Mr Mahama said all Ghanaian youth who have brilliant ideas but could not find the needed support to start their business could access the fund.
Young entrepreneurs selected under the programme, he said, would receive training, capital and mentorship to be able to start up and grow their businesses.
Emphasising that implementation of the initiative would be transparent, the President added that it would be strictly based on merit.
Ghanaian youth who qualified would be considered irrespective of tribe, gender, political, religious or other considerations, he said, adding that the initiative was part of the larger social,programme that would facilitate youth development in the country.
Long- term support
President Mahama said one of the major long-term plans of the government was to support the young people of the country to develop their skills for the benefit of themselves and the nation.
When this was effectively carried through, the government would be creating lasting prosperity for the people.
