Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister
A social protection policy meant to enhance the productive capacity of young people has been launched in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
Known as the Ghana Employment and Social Protection (GESP) Programme, it is expected to enhance the productive capacity of young people in 10 participating Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region.
According to Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, low incomes, vulnerability to out-migration, child labour, adolescent pregnancy, and rapid peri-urban expansion with concomitant poverty were factors considered in the selection of the MMDAs.
Mr Osei-Mensah said 16 people between the ages of 18 and 35 from each of the ten recipient areas will benefit from the programme.
Ahead of the launch this week, a Productive Inclusion Programme was launched in September 2021, with backing from the European Union, to help the Ghanaian government strengthen its social protection and employment management systems.
EU/Ghana relations
Mr Osei-Mensah praised the European Union’s (EU) long-standing relationship with Ghana, as well as its commitment to continue and strengthen its economic and investment links with Ghana for development.
He noted that beneficiaries would be provided with technical, vocational, business management, and life skills training, as well as start-up kits. He added that the programme seeks to help beneficiaries with connections to other training, marketing, networking opportunities, and introductions to local trade men and other master artisans.
The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council has assured the Regional Minister that it will continue to assist the GESP initiative.
Productive Inclusion Initiative
The GESP Programme’s team leader, Sharon Hall, said the initiative is one of the methods for reducing vulnerability through working with at-risk families and communities.
According to her, the programme will help 300 people in Ghana’s Ashanti and Western regions.
Ms Hall said the GESP has concentrated on four main results areas which include better social system efficacy and efficiency and improved national and local employment policy management.
Other areas are enhanced access to effective business development services and funding in an enabling business climate, as well as strengthened technical and vocational education and training options for the informal sector and in the agricultural value chain.
About GESP
The GESP has supported the government and national stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the social protection system. Since 2018, the programme has contributed to inclusive growth by strengthening social protection and employment systems in the country.
The programme has been implemented in three regions – the Northern, Ashanti and Western regions – with beneficiary activities like agro food processing, aqua culture, animal rearing and vegetable production, clothing and textiles, personal care and cosmetics, crafts industrial training and information and communication technology.
The GESP PI initiative responds to Articles 35, 36 and 37 of the 1992 Constitution’s and Sustainable Development Goals 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 17. It was inspired by the agenda of the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (2017 – 2024) and National Medium Term Development Frameworks with emphasis on supporting the initiatives of women, persons with disability (PIWDs) and young people.
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