Young entrepreneurs face challenges in Northern Region

Young entrepreneurs in the Northern Region are facing the challenge of acquiring land and funds to setup their businesses to help improve their standard of living.

Participants at the end of a two-day entrepreneurial training workshop for youth entrepreneurs from Tamale Metropolis, Tolon and Kumbungu districts, as well as Savelugu/Nanton Municipality said due to such obstacles their business plans could not be implemented.

Mr Abdul Hackiem, 25, from Kumbungu, said the washing bay business he intended to setup is still at the preparatory stage due to financial challenges.

He asked government to provide start-up capital to enable young entrepreneurs to contribute to the nation’s economy by creating wealth and providing employment.

“For instance, if I am given the needed push, my washing bay business would be completed and I could employ some people.

“I know other people who have business plans to establish a poultry farm, and all these are employment avenues,” he said.

Mr Mohammed Alhassan, Zonal Coordinator of the Graduate Business Support Scheme, who facilitated the workshop organised by the Youth Empowerment for Life (YEFL) in Tamale, took participants through how to prepare a winning business plan.

The participants were schooled in entrepreneurial skills subjects including traits and tips of a successful entrepreneur, festival of ideas and hands on experience in developing an idea.

He called on the participants to critically think and develop innovative business plans, which could address daily challenges in the country.

Mrs Florence Boateng, an Official of YEFL explained that the training which was the third in the series are in two folds, one for educated entrepreneurs and the other for the uneducated.

She said after the training, five best business plans of participants would be selected and given a start capital, adding that their success story would be used as a module to engage government and other stakeholders to adopt.