President John Dramani Mahama has announced  government’s plans to introduce the Youth Enterprise Support Initiative(YES) which is part of a larger social  programme to generate jobs and facilitate youth development in the country.

He said young entrepreneurs selected under the programme, would undergo training and receive capital and mentorship to equip them start and grow their own businesses.

Under the initiative, President Mahama said government will invest an amount of GH ₵10million into the Youth Entrepreneurship Fund.

“GH ₵10million has been set aside for this fund. All you Ghanaian youth who have brilliant ideas but can’t find the necessary support to start up will be interested in this initiative,” the President said.

The fund will support small start-ups managed by young people who are facing financial challenges.

The President has reiterated that access to the fund would be “strictly based on merit” and “will be open to all Ghanaian youth irrespective of their religious, gender, political or ethnic affiliation”.

He further said all youth who meet the requirements of the fund will be considered.

The announcement was made during the commemoration of the International Youth Day on Tuesday, August 12 at the International Conference Centre, Accra , under the theme,” Investigating in young people : The key to Ghana’s transformation and economic development.

The programme had the President, some Ministers of state, members of the National Youth Authority(NYA), religious leaders in attendance.

Quoting the famous adage by the late President of America, John F. Kennedy, ”Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”, John Mahama queried the youth on their contributions towards nation building and challenged them to demonstrate leadership and strive for responsibility.

A Representative of the youth, Prosper Hoetsu, in his speech, called on the government to help expedite work on the approval of the National Youth Policy which will provide guidelines to all stakeholders involved in the implementation of policies, programmes and projects in the development of the youth.