One of the most prestigious organizations in the world, Mastercard Foundation, claims it is dedicated to its goal of assisting three million young men and women in Ghana to find respectable and meaningful employment by 2030.
The leadership of the foundation stated that this goal is connected to their big aim to develop possibilities for Ghana and Africa’s expanding young population at an Editors’ Roundtable Forum held at the Marriott Hotel in Ghana on September 26.
By 2030, Africa will have the greatest labor force in the world, with 375 million young people joining the workforce. These young people will enhance their communities and lifestyles by contributing to Africa’s global competitiveness with the appropriate skills.
A diagnostics exercise was initiated, involving a variety of stakeholders, including young people, academia, the government, and the private sector, in order to help the Foundation realize its audacious goal of enabling 3 million young Ghanaian women and men to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. The industry with the most realistic potential for employment generation and youth development, particularly for young women, was found to be agriculture and industries closely related to it.
According to Mastercard Foundation, a lot of work has been done to make sure this goal is successful. It is known as the Young Africa Works project.
“The Foundation’s vision in Ghana is that by 2030, the country will be a continental demonstration of young people, especially women, harnessing opportunities to shape the future of work and to create an inclusive economy with enhanced resilience for the most vulnerable.
The Young Africa Works in Ghana is aligned with An Agenda for Jobs: Creating Prosperity and Equal Opportunity for All and the government’s commitment to positioning the country as a global entrepreneurship and technology hub. It also aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture’s flagship programs, including Planting for Food and Jobs.”
The plan also seamlessly dovetails into the mission of the foundation which states unequivocally that “Everyone should have an equal chance to succeed regardless of their starting point in life. With access to education, financial services, and skills training, young people can have that chance.”
The Foundation, which has been active in Ghana since 2009, has recognized agriculture and industries closely related to it as having a strong potential for generating employment possibilities for young Ghanaian women and men.
In Ghana, the foundation has 80–90% of its collaborations in the agriculture sector. Up to 10–20% of their partnerships are contributed by innovation and emerging areas.
Top management from the Foundation, including Rica Rwigamba, the country director for Ghana, attended the Editors’ Roundtable Forum.
The Mastercard Foundation in Ghana
Since 2009, the Foundation has been actively leading initiatives to offer young Ghanaians options for training, education, and a living.
The establishment of a regional office in Ghana to oversee the implementation of the Young Africa Works strategy across the sub-region was approved by the Foundation’s Board in 2019 after the organization had made an impact in the nation for more than ten years. Other offices have now opened in several African nations.
About Mastercard Foundation
One of the biggest foundations in the world, the Mastercard Foundation seeks to promote financial inclusion and education. It collaborates with forward-thinking groups to provide young people in Canada’s Indigenous communities and Africa with access to meaningful employment.
When Mastercard went public in 2006, it generously donated money to start the Foundation. The Foundation is a distinct entity from the firm and operates independently. The Board of Directors and executive team of the Foundation decide on its policies, operations, and programs.