Yepafrica, a Dutch NGO working in Africa has expressed its commitment to empower the youth and address the issue of youth unemployment in the country with the launch of the Yepafrica Ghana chapter.

The launch which was held as part of a free 5-day empowerment and entrepreneurship training program for graduates and job seekers in Accra also saw the graduation of the first cohort of the Youth empowerment and entrepreneurship training programme.

Yepafrica has been working in Africa for 15 years empowering the youth to bring out the entrepreneurial qualities in them.

It operates empowerment and entrepreneurship learning centres in Gambia and Senegal. The Ghana Chapter is established to expand its reach and impact, starting with the graduation of the first cohort.

Beneficiaries and participants are recruited through social media, and invited to apply by filling out a form, register, undergoes an interview session and make presentations before they qualify to join the Yepafrica training.

The maiden training session in Ghana was held at the Lakeside Marina Park in Accra from Monday, May 29 to Friday, June 2, 2023.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer, of Zenfusion Consultancy, Munnira Sheikh who doubles as the Chairperson for Yepafrica Ghana Foundation expressed her delight to welcome on board Yepafrica, an NGO which has been at the forefront of addressing unemployment challenges among the youth which is a cancer in Africa.

“I am happy to be the Chairperson of Yepafrica Ghana chapter to reduce youth unemployment and illegal migration, empower the young generation to be the change and improve the quality of life of the next generation.

“A lot of people are getting educated but not getting jobs. Many policies are not in favour of the youth who have dreams to build something and to improve their lives and become an entrepreneur or find good quality jobs. We empower them to take responsibility of their lives by creating their own future. If there are no jobs you need to create them yourself," he said.

Munnira Sheikh disclosed that although the Yepafrica training programme is an intense session, it is quite exciting, engaging and covers two parts including; Training people for realizing their dreams and training people to act on their own behalf rather than on the behalf of others.

“Be the change you want to see in this world”.

She announced that "Yepafrica has a plan to create about five learning centres in Ghana and will empower each community with one learning centre which will keep recruiting new trainees so the Group can have a built up of ‘Yeppers’ all around Ghana who can connect together and support their start-ups.

"Besides that, Yepafrica is planning its headquarters for Africa in Accra. We are therefore inviting investors, sponsors and funding partners to support us to take the program to the next step."

In a short remark, Mr Georgy Evers, Board Member and Trainer of Yepafrica Foundation, Netherlands congratulated the participants for working intensely in the period.

“The training has been successful and I am impressed about the various talents. 

Yepafrica, he reiterated is committed to realising the first learning centre in Ghana this year.

“This will require more support from sponsors as such we will work hard to get more funding."

The Guest Speaker and Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs (GCYE), Mr Sherif Ghali described the Yepafrica training as a step in the right direction.

“Here in Africa, the educational curriculum is the challenge. We are not trained technically to take up the modern task of today therefore any attempt to empower and support the youth with entrepreneurship drive is appropriate."

He urged the youth to take advantage of Technology as the fastest way of realising their dreams and assured that the Chamber will continue to support young people to achieve their objectives.

Most participants during the presentation session were optimistic the training has impacted positively on their lives as they are no more afraid to take up challenges in life and are now ready to act with an entrepreneurial spirit and as agents of change (Yeppers) to inspire the youth of today.