Ofori-Atta (third right) with Ms Burrell (middle) and other dignitaries in a group photo after the launch
The Ghana Job Bank Initiative was officially launched yesterday at the Accra International Conference Center, with the pledge to help thousands of Ghanaian youth to monetize their creativity and become financially self-reliant by creating employment opportunities for themselves and others.
About 3,000 young Ghanaians from all walks of life defied the early morning downpour to throng the venue where they were educated by some leading entrepreneurs on how to start their own businesses without applying for government and private jobs.
Some captains of industry and politicians, who have contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the country, were also awarded at the event.
Some of the awardees included Dr Kwaku Oteng, Dr Thomas Kofi Aboagye Dompem, Dr Christian Agyemang, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Dr Kofi Koduah Sarpong, Dr Kwaku Frimpong, Dr Kwame Kyei, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Dr Nii Kotei Dzani, Kate Quartey-Papafio, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Andrews Kwofie, Boris Baidoo and Edward Effah.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, in January this year, proposed the awards scheme to encourage the youth to undertake projects that would make them successful people, worthy of celebration and honour.
The Ghana Job Bank – a subsidiary of EON3 Group – is a private sector-led social media and digital marketing initiative that seeks to create employment opportunities for the youth in Ghana.
Under the initiative, which is divided into two sections – Business Incubator and Ghana Smart Youth – Ghanaian youth are expected to be mentored on entrepreneurship and trained in software engineering, open-data platform system, among others.
Through the initiative over 100,000 young people would be trained to create their own employment and monetize their innovation.
Some international information and communication technology experts, including Robinne Burrell, have pledged to support the programme by educating the youth on digital and network marketing.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EON3 Group and founder of the Ghana Job Bank Initiative, Richard Ofori-Atta, indicated that some of the beneficiaries of the initiative, which has former President John Agyekum Kufuor as its patron, are expected to be assisted with start-up funds to enable them commence their own businesses.
They would be coached by top Ghanaian and international entrepreneurs.
He said plans were underway to get Zylofon Cash and Google Absense on board to see how best to form arts clubs for the youth to enable them monetize their creativity, saying “you don’t need to work for anybody; you can be your own employer.”
Addressing the youth at the event held under the theme: “Ghana, The Best Place to Make Your First Million Dollar and How,” Ms. Burrell, the third top female technology personality of the world according to Forbes Magazine, urged young people in Ghana to take up initiatives they are passionate about and work towards transforming them from dreams to reality.
She also admonished the youth to use their time on the internet meaningfully, adding that “spend your time wisely on social media if you are serious.”
Ex-President Kufuor, in a statement read on his behalf by Chairman of the Minerals Commission, S.K. Boafo, urged the youth to make good use of whatever course they study in school.
In a brief remark to motivate the youth to believe in themselves, Mr Sarkodie intimated that “the biggest investment you can start with is passion not money.”
By Melvin Tarlue