The programme, themed “Mindset Shift,” targeted managers and apprentices with the aim of shifting their mindset and encouraging them to set up private and individual businesses, as well as prepare them for sustainable business entrepreneurship.

Specifically, it sought to help aspiring entrepreneurs break free from the myths surrounding certain careers and empowering them to take the leap.

During the training, Madam Mariam Kyere, the Head of GEA in the Akuapem North District, emphasised the importance of the initiative, explaining it aligned with government’s agenda on the creation of job opportunities for the teeming youth.

She said that the Mindset Ship programme covered three distinct categories namely Agric and Agric Business to Entrepreneurs (AA2E), Apprentice to Entrepreneurs (A2E), and Women and women Related Businesses (NBA).

She pointed out that the programme was the first of its kind to have been outlined by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and that the exercise targeted about 5,000 young people from every nuke and cranny of the entire municipality.

She also emphasised that the youth were too excited and anxious as they visited the Business Resource Centre daily for enquiries.

She asked overzealous youth to exercise a bit of restraint because the training programme was spread over four years and the first badge targeted about 285 entrepreneurs.

However, during the training, some 250 participants made up of both masters and apprentices were put into various groups, gained skills through thorough training, and eventually got employment.

After the training, participants were supervised to sign contracts and were given working tools to establish their various businesses.

Madam Kyere informed the public to be on the lookout for the next cohort, which would commence in July and conclude in October or November 2024.

In an interview at the event, some participants expressed their enthusiasm about the programme, saying it would undoubtedly help reduce the unemployment rate significantly in society.