YouStart Components

The training and capacity building component of YouStart will provide technical support to individuals and group businesses by helping them obtain and improve their knowledge, skills, tools, and other resources needed to run their businesses successfully.

The training for the Commercial Programme will be handled by the Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) through the National Banking College and the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

The training for the District Entrepreneurship Programme will be handled by the Implementing Agencies namely the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) and with support from the National Youth Authority (NYA), Ghana TVET Service and the Nation Builders Corp (NABCo).

Commercial Programme Training

Duration – 1 week

Format - In-Person

Training Organisations - Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) through the National Banking College (NBC) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers CIB)

Training Modules – Introduction to the YouStart Programme*, Entrepreneurship*, Financial Management*, Good Corporate Citizenship, Governance and Compliance*, Risk and Credit Management*, Digital Literacy, Human Resource Management, Marketing & Customer Service and Kaizen (Training modules marked with * are all mandatory courses)

District Entrepreneurship Programme Training

Duration – 2 week

Format - In-Person

Training Organisations - Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) with support from Ghana TVET Service

Training Modules – Introduction to the YouStart Programme*, Entrepreneurship*, Financial Management*, Good Corporate Citizenship, Governance and Compliance*, Kaizen*, Digital Literacy, Human Resource Management, and Marketing and Customer Service (Training modules marked with * are all mandatory courses))

The business development support services of YouStart focus on providing services to help businesses grow faster, reduce costs, manage risks and regulation, and leverage talent. The focus areas are bookkeeping, banking, human resource management, I.T. services, among others, to programme beneficiaries. The business development support services are explained below:

Bookkeeping Service

This includes training entrepreneurs and assisting them with basic accounting and record keeping, bank reconciliations and cash flow management to enable them to prepare their financial statements.

Banking Services

Entrepreneurs will be assisted in the creation and management of a business bank account. They will also be enlightened on the benefits of operating different types of bank accounts and the corresponding banking services available to them.

Human Resource Management Services

Entrepreneurs will be assisted to manage their employees effectively to gain competitive advantage. They will be supported with employee recruitment & personnel management, payroll management, staffing optimisation, employee skills development, amongst others.

Insurance Services

This involves assisting businesses to subscribe to or manage their insurance needs.

I.T. Services

Entrepreneurs will be taught on the management and optimisation of or access to information and business processes to digitally transform their businesses.

This component involves assisting beneficiaries conform to standards, regulations, and the laws of the various industries they operate in. Entrepreneurs will also be trained to understand and comply with global product standards, certification requirements, business regulations, and packaging laws.

Services to be provided include registration of companies, licensing and certification from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and other regulatory bodies.

The Compliance component also includes assisting entrepreneurs with the following: TIN registration, personal tax returns, VAT returns, WHT returns and SSNIT/pension compliance.

The Implementing Agencies (I.A.) and Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) will make the necessary arrangements to ensure that entrepreneurs obtain these compliance and quality assurance support services at subsidised fees.

YouStart will provide entrepreneurs market access, technology and market linkage opportunities through a number of interventions. These interventions shall include but will not be limited to the following:

Market Linkages

Prospective beneficiaries in the same or similar line of businesses will be mapped out and linked up through the value chain integration concept. Trade directories and other market-enabling tools will be utilised in this regard.

Trade Fairs

Periodic trade fairs and networking programmes will be organised with the support of programme partners and other stakeholders.

Online Database

A technology platform that connects entrepreneurs to potential buyers and suppliers will be developed.

Linkages to Government Agencies

To enable beneficiaries to reach a broader market space, they will be linked to various onboard government agencies and partners. They will also be positioned to take advantage of market opportunities and initiatives such as AfCFTA

Procurement Opportunities

Government buying power will be used to support beneficiaries through the provision of national, regional and district level procurement opportunities.

Equipment & Technology Support

Entrepreneurs will be supported to acquire equipment, the latest technology/innovations and other assets for the purposes of expanding their production lines.

Loans will be provided to trained and qualified beneficiaries. Each trained applicant who requests for financial support will be assessed based on a credit scoring model prior to disbursements. Financing for the programme will be provided by the Government of Ghana, Development Partners, and Banks.

Commercial Programme Funding Support

SME Growth Loan ranging from GH¢100,000 to GH¢500,000 for SMEs

District Entrepreneurship Programme Funding Support

Loans of up to GH¢50,000 (Starter Pack) for senior high school leavers, university graduates, vocational and diploma certificate holders and start-ups or GH¢100,000 (Accelerate) for group businesses.

YouStart Grace Funding Support

Loans ranging from GH¢2,000 to GH¢25,000 for senior high school leavers, university graduates, vocational and diploma certificate holders and other young people between 18-40 years.