The Business in a Box (BizBox) workshop, sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation in collaboration with the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), has equipped some youth with practical skills in food production, business management, branding and entrepreneurship at Amasaman.

On the 19^th and 20^th August, the workshop focused on hands-on training in yogurt, ice cream and smoothie preparation. Mrs. Patience Balagi, Head of the Business Advisory Centre of the Ga West Municipal Assembly, urged participants to pay close attention, take notes and consistently practice the skills acquired.

Entrepreneur Mrs. Lydia Amoako led participants through the step-by-step preparation of yogurt and ice cream, while Madam Margaret demonstrated smoothie preparation and highlighted the nutritional benefits of fruit- and nut-based drinks.

The Greater Accra Regional Director of the GEA, Mrs. Anthia Ohene-Mayne, encouraged the young people to turn their newly acquired skills into practical businesses. Deputy Regional Director Madam Jemima Arthur explained that the initiative seeks to promote local entrepreneurship by providing participants with start-up kits to help them establish and grow their businesses.

On the 21^st August, which was the last day, participants were thoroughly taken through essential business skills, including financial management, product quality, branding, social media marketing and record-keeping. Mrs. Balagi advised participants to carefully track their daily business activities and manage their finances effectively to determine whether their businesses were making progress.

Madam Lydia Amoako also emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent branding, quality products, packaging and logos to build customer confidence and loyalty. Entrepreneur and GEA member Mrs. Agnes Agyei subsequently guided participants through the production of pineapple, coconut and clove juice, encouraging them to practice regularly and use social media to expand their knowledge as well as market their products.

The workshop concluded with a strong call for participants to put their training into practice, make informed business decisions and maintain proper records to measure their progress. Organizers expressed the hope that the practical skills and start-up support provided through the BizBox initiative would enable the young women to create sustainable businesses and contribute to local economic development.

Source: Aisha Musah Nsoh,ISD-GWMA.