Tamale, Feb 19, GNA – The youth have been encouraged to explore opportunities around their communities to help reduce unemployment in the country while securing their future.
Prince Siita Sofo Hissan, President of AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Federation (AfYEF), who stated this, advised the youth to be more positive towards entrepreneurship by using their skills and knowledge to start small businesses on their own.
He was speaking at a forum on the theme: « The Role of the Youth in the AfCFTA », to dialogue on youth entrepreneurship and also to campaign for the improvement of entrepreneurship climate for young people in Africa.
It was organised in Tamale by AfYEF in collaboration with the Department of Hospitality and Tourism of the Tamale Technical University and attended by various participants, including students at the University.
AfYEF is an association of youth entrepreneurship organisations from across the African continent that serves as a representative voice for young entrepreneurs on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
AfYEF aims to build the capacity of young entrepreneurs across the continent on AfCFTA and also to provide business mentorship and coaching to young entrepreneurs.
The AfCFTA seeks to create a borderless trade system across the 55 African Union (AU) nations and also to boost intra-African trade and catalyse the achievement of AU Agenda 2063.
Mr Hissan emphasised the importance of the country to focus on scaling efforts to support local innovators to enhance economic growth instead of relying on big businesses to propel economic growth and create employment opportunities.
He noted that young entrepreneurs had the potential to make huge contributions to economic, social and political development of the country, calling for commitment to strengthen, advocate and support the dreams of young entrepreneurs to flourish.
Mr Robert Kampi Laari, Founder of Dream Big Foundation and Member of AfYEF, advised the youth to shift their minds from seeking jobs to creating marketable opportunities for themselves as entrepreneurs.
He urged the youth to participate in entrepreneurial training to increase their knowledge in entrepreneurship.
Mr Mohammed Mubarik, Branch Manager of Data Bank in Tamale advised the youth to avoid wasting money and instead invest in their businesses to generate more income.
