The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), in collaboration with the Presbyterian University, Ghana (PUG), is spearheading a transformative three-year project titled ‘Promote the Economic Empowerment of Women and Youth in Green and Circular Economy Sectors.’ This initiative, generously funded by the European Union, aims to enhance the economic empowerment of women and youth in the Upper West, Upper East, and Northern Regions of Ghana.
The GreenGrowth Project is an innovative partnership between the private sector and academia, supported by the European Union Delegation in Ghana. The project aims to advance women and youth economic empowerment and maximize their contribution to growth, poverty reduction, and social inclusion. It seeks to empower women and youth in the agro-forestry value chains and circular economy through policy reforms. With such a comprehensive approach, the project promises a brighter, greener future for the communities it serves.
On March 22, 2024, an inception meeting was held in WA to mark the commencement of the project and bring together key stakeholders from across the country. The project team also made a courtesy call on Busa Naa, Naa Ali Pelpuo, the Paramount Chief for the Busa traditional area, to inform him of the project’s commencement. The paramount chief expressed his joy and appreciation to the delegation for including his community as beneficiaries in the three Northern Regions and pledged his full support in making the implementation a success.
The stakeholder meeting at the Blue Hill Hotel set the project into motion. The team leader, Mr. Christopher Addy-Nayo, made a brief presentation on the concept note of the project to further clarify and deepen the understanding of partners and members on the project action, relevance, objectives, target groups, beneficiaries, needs and constraints, and the particular added-value elements of the project.
The second Vice President of GNCCI, Mr. Stephane Miezan, gave a brief speech, adding that the Regional GNCCI Office will be able to make inputs into the project as they are close to the beneficiaries. “The project brings massive hope to address the perennial issues of youth unemployment and climate change in the Northern Regions. The actions stipulated in the proposal will ensure environmental sustainability, promote economic effectiveness and efficiency of green growth, and promote women and youth entrepreneurship,” he said.
Mr. Mark Badu-Aboagye, CEO of GNCCI, commented on the importance of diversification from the shea product, a very common product that employs several women, and also to focus on other products and ventures in the region, such as grains, that have been underexplored. The project is set to make a significant impact on the lives of women and youth in the Northern Regions of Ghana, fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable development. With the successful inception meeting, the stage is set for the transformative work to begin.
