The Minister for Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta has stated that the implementation of the Ghana CARES programme will create a conducive, compelling and ultimately resilient economic environment fit for business enterprise and innovation. As a result, he urged the youth to take advantage of government’s initiatives and programmes as they are tailored towards meeting their needs.

“… the Ghana CARES programme will allow us to create a conducive, compelling and ultimately resilient economic environment fit for business, enterprise and innovation”.

Shedding light on the Ghana CARES, the Minister said the programme has been designed to stimulate economic growth through increased investment in selected sectors. Some of these sectors include Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Tourism, Housing, Science and Technology and the Financial Sector. He assured that specific efforts will be made towards providing the youth with access to finance and skills in these areas. According to him, this will help the youth expand the production and capacity in the selected areas.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ofori-Atta indicated that the government designed its initiatives to provide the youth with access to finance and skills in entrepreneurship. Such initiatives will also provide relevant skills in agriculture, small scale industries, tourism, and trade.

Prospects of the Development Bank

Also, the Finance Minister indicated that the government is establishing the Development Bank to provide funds for industries and manufacturing sectors. Moreover, he urged the youth to embrace technological advancement in addition to the government’s initiatives to grow their businesses.

Furthermore, the Minister indicated that the rise in mobile money usage and efficient payment systems has simplified business transactions.

“And to crown it all, with digital address systems and the multiplicity of delivery services, the product can be delivered to a client you may never meet in your entire life”.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ofori-Atta narrated how he started his career as an entrepreneur to the youth. He advised them not to despise small beginnings but to be persistent in all their dealings. More importantly, he advised the youth to have faith and confidence in themselves to do what they have to do.

“Again, if you’ve failed in an exam or business venture, you’re not alone. I know how it feels. The lesson here is clearly to have a deep belief in oneself that it is possible. You just have to have faith in yourself and the confidence to do what you want to do”.

Springboard Youth Dialogues

Ken Ofori-Atta was speaking as the Special Guest at the Springboard Youth Dialogues, an initiative of the Springboard Road Show Foundation. This is a youth mentoring platform focused on entrepreneurship, investment, career and talent development.

Resource persons for the various sessions included officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ghana Enterprises Agencies, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) and the Springboard Road Show Foundation.

The Minister implored the youth to reflect on the dialogue which he believes should lead to positive disruption and inspiration to reposition them for the future. Nevertheless, he challenged them to reposition themselves for available opportunities in the coming decades as “the future belongs to you”.