Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA)/Business Advisory Centre (BAC) the highest governmental body dedicated to promoting and developing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana. With the passage of Act 1043 by Parliament in 2020, is mandated to coordinate, implement and monitor the activities of the MSMEs Sector in Ghana.

It has over 209 Business Advisory Centres (BACs) across the country and 19 BAC’s within the central region of Ghana with Twifo/Ati-Morkwa district inclusive, which provides a wide range of services to MSMEs.

It is of this that the director of the GEA/BAC, Twifo Praso, on Monday 2^nd June, 2025, engaged leaders of the various artisanal groups within the district and some heads of department on the new modalities within the agency. Artisans play a crucial role in the economic growth of a nation contributing to its human resource development and national development.

Mrs. Benedicta Abakah the acting GEA at the district, addressed artisans and heads of department on the essence of the GEA in the district and welcomed all gathered paving way for the District Chief Executive (DCE) to address the gathering.

In an address by the DCE, Hon. Isaac Yawson, artisans are major contributors to skilled labour and continuously train young artisans to be self independent thereby reducing the unemployment burden in country. Within Twifo Praso, the district capital of Twifo/Ati-Morkwa district alone, there are over hundred (100) artisans who relentlessly train young artisans, easing the pressure of unemployment on government. This is in line with President John Mahama’s National Apprenticeship Programme that was launched in Tamale, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

According to the DCE, “the initiative seeks to tackle youth unemployment by removing the cost barrier to skills training in the informal technical and vocational sectors. The government will support master craftsmen to train young Ghanaians under the programme, who will also receive allowances during their training period”.

He encouraged artisans to fully participate in the programme to help materialise governments policies in managing youth unemployment.

In furtherance of the event, Mr. Otis, a Budget officer at the district assembly shared essence of revenue mobilisation within the district and what they stand to benefit from revenue mobilised. With the current revenue that is being mobilised, the local governance ACT 2016, ACT 936 states that by 2:00pm everyday, tolls are expected to have been collected and anything beyond the timeline is punishable by law.

Revenues mobilised according Mr. Otis, are used for developmental projects like schools, road and market expansion, good roads to mention but a few.

Madam Beatrice an artisan commended the agency for being helpful in some time past as she has been a beneficiary of the agencies business support.

Artisans were encouraged to register at the GEA/BAC office and invite other colleagues to join the GEA’s registration as it is by such means that they can continually benefit from the agencies support, this was a concluding message from Mrs. Benedicta Abakah acting GEA director for the district.