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Recent developments have brought forth a wave of discontent among ex-NABCo trainees as they await the promised YouStart grants following the government’s announcement in the 2022 budget. Initially proposed as a vehicle to support youth-led businesses with loans of up to GHC50,000, the YouStart initiative aimed to empower budding startups and small enterprises.
However, Deputy Finance Minister Dr. John Kumah’s prior statement about transitioning NABCo trainees into the YouStart program starting July 1 hasn’t materialized as expected. The transition was meant to supersede the concluded NABCo program from October 2021.
Former NABCo participants, who had eagerly applied for the YouStart grants, were left dismayed when none of them were chosen for the initial phase of the grants’ disbursement. This turn of events has sparked feelings of disappointment, disillusionment, and uncertainty among these graduates.
Adding to their frustration is the unresolved issue of outstanding arrears. The NABCo graduates are owed nine months’ worth of payments, prompting them to issue a stern ultimatum to the government through a press statement. They demanded the settlement of these outstanding payments within a month.
In their released statement, the disgruntled trainees expressed a loss of trust in the government’s assurances, referencing unmet commitments outlined in the 2022 budget regarding the transition from NABCo to YouStart. They criticized the YouStart program, alleging that it merely serves as a facade to appease certain political affiliates, disregarding the genuine beneficiaries promised transition opportunities.
Voicing their disillusionment with the current administration led by Nana Addo/Bawumia, the graduates emphasized the urgency of settling their arrears while unequivocally expressing their disinterest in any further engagements with the government.
Furthermore, the aggrieved trainees cautioned against the political leveraging of the defunct NABCo scheme, declaring their intent to counter any attempts to exploit or glorify the failed program for political gains ahead of the 2024 general elections.
