The National Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agricultural has designed the Business and Employment Assistance Programme (BEAP) which seeks to help Small and Medium Enterprises grow.
The YEA Business and Employment Assistance Programme is an opportunity for employers, Small and Medium Enterprises to re-hire laid-off employees, and new employees.
Speaking at a press conference in Wa, the Public Relations Officer of YEA, Mr Awal Mohamed said the BEAP programme targets the youth, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and women-led businesses.
“At this point in time we felt that let’s help the private sector also employ because we have been helping the public sector employ. So we came out with this Business Employment Assistant Programme which is a novelty that we have brought,” Mr Mohammed added.
Mr. Mohamed provided a list of qualifications necessary to access the program.
“If you are a business owner the criteria for you to qualify is for you to demonstrate that you have registered the company. The third one is that they will demonstrate that they will be able to employ more and also do the top-up.
He emphasized that businesses that wish to participate must demonstrate their compliance with tax obligations.
“This year we expect to train up to 10,000 Ghanaians in 10 trade areas. In Upper West alone, we envisage that we will train up to 300 people. We have bought all the start-up kits for them,” he added.
In the upcoming weeks, YEA will initiate the youth in Agriculture program. Mr Mohammed urged chiefs and landowners to provide their lands to the agency for the program.
Under the program two people will be entitle to 10 acres of land and will receive a monthly stipend of GHC500.00 to look after the farm.