By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
The No Business as Usual Youth Empowerment Centre (NBU-YEC) has reached another significant milestone in its mission to empower young people with employable skills and entrepreneurial opportunities.
The Centre held its 3rd Handing Over Ceremony on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the Aboabo School Park in the Asokore Mampong Municipality.
As part of the event, Mr. Bernard Amoako, Programme Director of SOS Children’s Villages, Kumasi, delivered a speech highlighting the key milestones of the NBU-YEC project since its inception.
Mr. Amoako noted that the NBU-YEC project, which began in October 2022 with funding from SOS Children’s Villages The Netherlands, builds on the success of the original No Business as Usual (NBU) Project, formerly supported by the European Union. Since its establishment, the Youth Empowerment Centre has trained 234 young people in life skills, entrepreneurship, and employability.
Out of this number, 94 trainees had previously received start-up tools to launch their own ventures in areas such as fashion design, make-up artistry, and baking.
At this year’s ceremony, 52 more young entrepreneurs received start-up tools valued at over GHS200,000, including 33 sewing machines, 4 overlock machines, 7 ovens, a rasper machine, a shoe stamp, a mixer, a hair dryer, and several washing basins. These items will enable the beneficiaries to either start or expand their businesses.
“What a journey it has been in the lives of these young entrepreneurs,” Mr. Amoako stated. “These start-up tools represent more than just equipment; they symbolize hope, independence, and the opportunity for a better future.”
The event also featured a breast cancer awareness and screening exercise, organized in partnership with the Asokore Mampong Municipal Health Directorate.
Health professionals educated participants on breast cancer prevention and offered free screenings to all attendees.
Mr. Amoako explained that such activities form part of NBU-YEC’s holistic approach to youth development, which combines business training with education on health, environmental protection, and civic engagement.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Honourable Municipal Chief Executive who was represented by Madam Linda Yiadom, Mr. Alexander Mar Kekula (National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Ghana), Mrs. Arian Buurman (Managing Director of SOS Children’s Villages The Netherlands), Ms. Marjon Durang (Senior Portfolio Manager for Ghana and Guinea-Bissau), along with members of the advisory board, assembly members, civil society representatives, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and the media.
Mr. Amoako expressed deep appreciation to the sponsors and partners for their continued support, saying:
“Your hard work and commitment are what we are celebrating today. Our trainees are grateful to you for believing in their dreams and supporting their journey toward self-reliance.”
He further revealed that, of the 52 beneficiaries, 48 are female and 4 are male, reaffirming NBU-YEC’s dedication to promoting gender equality and empowering women within the municipality.
In closing, he congratulated the beneficiaries for their resilience and determination, saying: “You have endured and persevered, and today you take another major step toward economic independence. Continue to work hard, grow your businesses, and create opportunities for others.”
The ceremony concluded with a call for continued collaboration and support to sustain the impact of the No Business as Usual Youth Empowerment Centre (NBU-YEC), ensuring that more young people in Ghana benefit from practical training, mentorship, and empowerment programmes.
Delivering his address, Mr. Alexander Mar Kekula, National Director for SOS Children’s Villages Ghana, expressed gratitude to officials of SOS Children’s Villages The Netherlands for their continued support in providing services to young people through the programme.
“Your funding and support mean a lot to us, and they go a long way in helping us train many young people in our country. Thank you so much, SOS Children’s Villages The Netherlands, for believing in us and for always supporting us.”
In her address, the Managing Director of SOS Children’s Villages The Netherlands, Arian Buurman, applauded the beneficiaries for joining the programme and completing it successfully.
She encouraged them to build their businesses gradually and sustainably with their start-up tools.
Addressing journalists on the sidelines, she described the programme as “amazing,” noting that SOS Children’s Villages The Netherlands invested in NBU-YEC because they truly believe that children and young people deserve economic prospects.
She commended the implementing team in Ghana, describing it as highly capable and dedicated.
Mrs. Buurman further mentioned that SOS Children’s Villages The Netherlands is deeply committed to helping Ghanaian youth build resilience and secure a sustainable future.
According to her, the programme’s continued success is due to its effectiveness in Ghana and the competence of the team implementing it.
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
Contact:
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✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
