Youth in Export Programme launched in Koforidua

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) in collaboration with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has launched a Youth in Export Programme (YIEP) to encourage the youth to venture into the export trade.

This initiative seeks to promote employment among graduates of the various tertiary institutions in the country.

Mr George Adomako, the Eastern Regional Director of GEPA, said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Koforidua in the Eastern Region.

He said the Authority is currently going through the applications of those who responded to the initiative and those who would be selected would have to go through a training process.

Mr Adomako said as part of the training, the applicants would be assigned to some selected experienced and successful exporters.

He said the trainees are expected to understudy the seasoned exporters to enable them become successful exporters.

Mr Adomako said it is expected that with the introduction of young people into the export trade, it could help boost the exports of the country.

He said the initiative is also expected to help the youth to gradually replace the current crop of exporters many of whom have advanced in age.

Mr Adomako said under the YIEP, there would be another programme called Youth in Export Competition (YEC).

He said under the YEC, graduates of the tertiary institutions would be required to write proposals on how to add value to the country's agriculture produce for export.

Mr Adomako said the good proposals among the lot that would be presented would be selected and the writers of the selected proposals would be supported to implement their proposals.

Mr Adomako urged the graduates of the tertiary institutions to take advantage of the initiatives to enter into the export business to create wealth for themselves and the country.