The Youth Entrepreneurship Training Programme for AfCFTA Opportunities aims to contribute to Ghana's economic growth by encouraging more young people to start their own businesses and actively participate in the AfCFTA.

The two-day workshop held in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region, brought together 40 young entrepreneurs, including barbers, bakers, dressmakers, hairdressers, market women, and agribusinesses.

The collaborative initiative between UNDP and NYA aimed to provide at least 400 young entrepreneurs in Ghana with the essential business management skills and the needed expertise to thrive in the African market.

Mr Pius Enam Hadzide, the Chief Executive Officer of NYA, stated that the national youth body recognised the significant role young people played in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector, which accounted for approximately 44 per cent of all actors in this area.

"We discovered that, despite the fact that young people own 44 per cent of MSMEs, just five per cent of them are trading internationally or utilising the AfCFTA," he said.

"The AfCFTA secretariat is surprisingly located in Ghana; yet the question remains as to how young Ghanaian entrepreneurs are making the most of this opportunity in their nation".
He urged the participants to make the most of the knowledge and skills they had acquired from the training in order to remain competitive with their peers in other nations that are part of the continental trade area.

The attendees received training on business branding, book keeping, customer service management, marketing, AfCFTA regulations, and the prerequisites for conducting business outside of Ghana.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Ekow Ashong, the NYA's Director of Human Resources, stated that the training was provided in support of the Authority's mission to empower young people.

"We anticipate that the attendees will use the knowledge they have gained from this course to advance their businesses," he said.

Ms Cynthia Offei, a participant, praised the NYA and its partners for the opportunity, saying it had introduced her to the rules and standards of participation in the AfCFTA.

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Another participant, Mr. Rashid Kasim also said the training has broadened his understanding of how to start and manage his yet-to-be-established business.