Standard Chartered Bank has officially launched the first cohort of its Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment and Entrepreneurship (RISE/E) programme, an initiative under the youth economic empowerment agenda of the Bank’s Futuremakers, with a focused commitment on equipping persons with disabilities (PWDs) with practical employable skills.

Launched in partnership with Sightsavers Ghana, the programme aims to bridge the employment gap by providing young entrepreneurs and job seekers, particularly women and PWDs, with digital, financial, and marketing skills. Beyond technical training, RISE/E distinguishes itself by fostering meaningful mentorship relationships between participants and seasoned professionals from Standard Chartered.

The programme will run in cohorts, with the first set of participants engaging over a three-month period before welcoming the next cohort. At the launch, participants were placed into smaller mentorship groups led by staff volunteers from various departments of the Bank.

These mentors will not only offer professional guidance but also assign tasks and activities designed to build critical employability skills, foster leadership, and sharpen business acumen. The initiative’s mentorship model encourages regular conversations, constructive feedback, and practical assignments, ensuring participants are consistently applying what they learn to real-world scenarios.

Speaking at the event, Asiedua Addae, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing, reiterated, “Standard Chartered remains dedicated to inclusion and empowerment. The Bank is committed to creating opportunities for everyone to thrive. Through this programme, we intend to nurture skills that make participants not just job seekers but future leaders and business owners”.

Also addressing attendees, David Agyemang, President of Sightsavers Ghana, lauded the Bank for championing disability inclusion through initiatives like RISE/E. He expressed his gratitude to Standard Chartered for investing in the potential of persons with disabilities and creating avenues for economic independence.

As the first cohort kicks off its mentorship journey, Standard Chartered extends a call to other corporate organisations and stakeholders to prioritise inclusive skills development. The future belongs to everyone, and with programmes like RISE/E, no one gets left behind.