SNV Ghana Green project is sharpening the lives of participants at Ejura in the Ashanti Region. Over 200 participants, mostly young entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs, are enthusiastic that their ideas have never been same the same.

The third job fair held in the town attracted many people who expressed their desire to establish themselves well after the training.

Green jobs and businesses in the circular economy are our solutions to a resilient, sustainable local economy.

 In 2020, SNV Ghana signed an MoU with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to promote the implementation of the country’s National Green Jobs Strategy.

Isaac Osei and Shaibu Yahaya are two of the enthusiastic participants in the SNV Ghana 'green' project.

Being a fashion designer and essential oil production firms respective open their field of understanding to create more jobs for others.

"We are happy we will have something to do and also engage more people," says Shaibu Yahaya.

Skills Development Advisor for SNV’s GrEEn Project, Gifty Afi Cudjoe, says the project is not just about making employment decisions, it is also about the environment.

The four-year GrEEn project action is under the partnership of the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, SNV Ghana, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

The first two job fairs prepared participants through sessions on employability of skilled labour such as CV writing, job description analysis and cover letter writing.

According to Ms Cudjoe, SNV is also committed to supporting business growth for up to 5, 000  participants and helping entrepreneurship growth in Ashanti and Western regions.

"They have been able to expand. They have gotten more youth to train," says Ms Cudjoe.

She says, the job fairs have helped participants to expand, or create their green micro business.

In Ashanti region for instance, most of the recipients filled towards agriculture.

"Yes, sub-sectors within agriculture predominantly."

SNV’s Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) Programme focuses on three sectors; agriculture, renewable energy, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

The goal is to improve the employability and entrepreneurial capacity of beneficiaries, particularly women and returning migrants, by matching them with market opportunities.

SNV Ghana wants to create and strengthen a local ecosystem that supports youth development.

Out of the 5,000 people to be trained, SNV Ghana hopes to support 3,500 in setting up their businesses.