The European Union Delegation, in collaboration with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and the Presbyterian University of Ghana (PUG), has launched a three-year project to empower women and the youth in three regions in the north.

Known as the Green Growth Ghana, the project is aimed at promoting a green and circular economy to drive growth, reduce poverty and foster social inclusion.

The project, which will be implemented in the Upper West, Upper East and Northern regions, will also unlock the full potential of the youth and women in the beneficiary regions to create jobs and stem the north-south migration.

It is being funded by the European Union Delegation in Ghana with GH?500,000.

Launching the project, the President of GNCCI, Dr Clement Osei-Amoako, said the project was poised to make a substantial impact on the local economies of the beneficiary regions, “particularly within the growing fields of green and circular economies where there exists considerable potential.”

He said the country’s over-reliance on agriculture, coupled with the rapidly growing population, has made it susceptible to the effects of climate change.

“We have also begun to experience severe effects from rising temperatures on agricultural production, particularly with the current drought affecting yields in the northern regions of the country.

“Unsustainable practices, including rampant illegal mining, further threaten livelihoods, water supply and the sustenance of our natural resources,” he observed.

Support 

Under the project, he said, the beneficiaries would be provided with technical support and grants to improve their businesses and also expand to create more job opportunities for others.

The Chief of the Zini Traditional Area, Kuoro Abu Diaka Sukabe Ninia V, for his part, pledged the support of the chiefs in all the beneficiary regions, particularly those from the Upper West Region, to ensure a successful implementation of the project.

As chiefs, he said it was their duty to ensure the sustainability of every project within their jurisdiction that would provide jobs for the people and also ensure the protection of the environment.

He said their doors were opened to the project team and they could call on them whenever it was necessary.

Awards 

As part of the launch, some businesses were awarded grants to support their businesses.

All the awardees were vetted by the regional GNCCI before receiving the grants.