Ashanti Region, September 15, 2023 – Young entrepreneurs in the Ashanti Region, beneficiaries of the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project, are making strides in creating sustainable employment opportunities for local youth within their communities.
Supported by funding from the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, the SNV Netherlands Development Organization, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the GrEEn Project is focused on addressing the root causes of irregular migration by promoting green and climate-resilient local economic development.
This four-year project, implemented by SNV and UNCDF, seeks to create employment and enterprise opportunities in the agriculture, water, and energy sectors in the Ashanti and Western Regions.
The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations is also supporting the project's implementation at regional and district levels under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2020.
As the project nears completion, a high-level delegation comprising officials from the Ministry, the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, SNV, and UNCDF has embarked on a two-day visit to engage with beneficiary entrepreneurs in the Ashanti Region.
The primary objectives of the visit are to showcase the progress made, highlight results and lessons learned, and gather feedback and recommendations to strengthen project implementation for sustained impact.
The delegation included notable figures such as Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations (MELR); Wendy van Meel, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana; Bram Elmer van Opijnen, First Secretary at the Netherlands Embassy; Marta Brignone, Programme Officer at the European Union; and Barbara White Nkoala, Country Director of SNV Ghana, among others.
During their tour, the delegation visited various businesses and initiatives supported by the GrEEn Project. Notable stops included:
- Moreplex Company in Bekwai-Aboaso, produces cosmetics from organic and locally sourced materials, providing training opportunities for women and young people.
- Danwomanse in the Adansi South District, where infrastructure improvements have alleviated flooding issues and improved accessibility for community members.
- Adom Oil Processing, a cooperative specializing in palm fruit processing, benefits from UNCDF support.
- Tahir Fields Recycling, which recycles waste engine oil into refined oil for reuse, is a GrEEn Innovation Challenge winner.
- Women's Haven Africa, an entrepreneurial hub supporting women-led businesses.
Throughout the visit, beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the support received under the GrEEn Project and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding their businesses to create sustainable employment opportunities for more individuals.
Reporting by Yussif Ibrahim. Editing by Mariam Aminu.
