The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has intensified efforts to attract investment for the country through the Ghana Employment and Social Protection Program (GESP).
The program, which commenced in 2018 with a total commitment of 31.6 million pounds from the European Union, is aimed at strengthening social protection and employment systems in the country.
Speaking at a media session on the successes chalked via the program, the Chief Executive Officer of the AGI, Seth Twum Akwaboah, noted that the private sector’s role in creating decent jobs had already begun in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.
Most times when investors come into the country, they want to partner Ghanaian companies and that’s what we are also yearning for. That we have partnerships that go to strengthen local businesses. But in most cases, we are not that ready. And what this project seeks to do is to help address this critical concern of businesses.”
He continued by explaining that “our consultants are working very hard by making us aware of the critical areas you need to prepare for if you want to attract investment, readiness in terms of your business plans, documentation, and even communication. We are also collaborating with the GIPC in this respect”.
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Twum Akwaboah also highlighted the AGI’s role in promoting exports and partnerships between the country’s SMEs and big companies.
On his part, the National Authorizing Officer at the Finance Ministry, Ebenezer Nortey, said hundreds of youth have benefited from the program.
Government has improved upon the existing Social Protection Interventions and introduced new ones. Social Interventions such as the School Feeding program, the livelihood Empowerment against Poverty Program (LEAP) and the National Health Insurance scheme have been expanded. Government continues to improve the NHIS to ensure quality healthcare for all especially the vulnerable. It is in this fate that government sees the EU program as timing and relevant as it complements the efforts in bridging the inequality in the country.”
About GESP
The Ghana Employment and Social Protection Program aims at contributing to inclusive and equitable growth in Ghana by strengthening social protection and employment systems in Ghana.
GESP also aims to enhance social protection services, notably for vulnerable population groups, and to generate decent employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.
The GESP programme consists of four key results:
- Enhanced effectiveness and efficiency of the social protection system
- Improved employment policy management at the central and local level
- Strengthened technical and vocational education and training opportunities for the informal sector and in agricultural value chains.
- Improved access to effective business development services and finance in enabling business environments.
