CDD-Ghana, EU support local entrepreneurs in rural communities

Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), in partnership with the Asutifi North District Assembly (ANDA) and the Global Alliance for Development Foundation (GADeF) have initiated a Local Economic Development (LED) project dubbed “Building Local Entrepreneurial Skills to support the rural poor for sustainable economic self-reliance”.

The project which commenced in January, 2019 and ended in just this December, 2022 was financially and technically supported by a Delegation from the European Union (EU) to Ghana.

A statement signed by the Communication Specialist of CDD-Ghana, Nana Ama Nartey said the project is sought to build local entrepreneurial skills of the rural poor to ensure they are economically self-reliant, to harness local resources, knowledge, ideas, skills, and other comparative advantages to stimulate local economic growth and development with the aim of creating self-employment and job opportunities.

However, the statement further added that, the project focused on reducing poverty among the local people, stemming internal migration, and promoting sustainable and inclusive development in the Asutifi North District.

After four years of implementing the project, the following were achieved:

1. 100 youth, women and PWDs from three zonal councils, in Ntotroso, Kenyasi number 1, and Kenyasi number 2 have been trained to gain skills in welding and fabrication (60 of them) and in soap and detergent-making (40 of them).

2. Over 80% of the 100 beneficiaries have been supported with startup capital and equipment to start their businesses, while the rest are being processed to also receive their equipment and start-up capitals.

3. The project also built 2 new skills and training centers in Kenyasi number 2 and Ntotoroso. Both Centers are fully equipped with welding and fabrication equipment and stocked with office logistics such as computers, printers, and furniture.

4. Additionally, an existing skill center at Kenyasi number 1 has been fully furnished.Through the project, stakeholders have developed a project Sustainability Strategy that assigns responsibility to the various stakeholders in the district to maintain the facilities and sustain the gains of the project.

The sponsors of the project, (CDD-Ghana and the European Union) will officially close the project and hand over all facilities to the District Assembly, Chiefs, and the People on Monday, 19th December, 2022.

“We hope that the stakeholders will commit to the project’ Sustainability Strategy and ensure that the project is sustained and the facilities well maintained”, the statement noted.

CDD-Ghana therefore expresses a profound gratitude to the Asutifi North District Assembly, GADeF, the Assembly members, and the three paramount Chiefs for their immense support during the project implementation.

“The entire project has been made possible by the generous support from the European Union, we express deep appreciation for their commitment, technical and financial support to the project”, the statement noted.

Source Eric Nii Sackey