In a bid to provide employable skills for the youth, the University Interdenominational Church (UIC) of the University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, provided skills training and exhibition opportunities for church members under their Training, Exhibition, Competition, and Support for Livelihoods (TECS4live) Exhibition and Trade Fair.

The trade fair, held on the UIC premises on Sunday, March 30, 2025, dubbed TECS4live, provided a vibrant showcase of businesses, innovations, and networking opportunities for exhibitors, aimed at uncovering business talents among the church youth.

The Activities of TECS4live

Explaining what the project entails, Dr. Mrs. Ewoenam Afua Afenyo-Agbe noted that the four main activities under the project are Training, Exhibition, Competition, and Support for Livelihood, dubbed TECS4Live.

The training is divided into Short Term Training, which focuses on preparing exhibitors on how to pitch and present their products during the exhibition. While Long Term Training concentrates on providing skills for Church members in sectors with readily available and affordable local raw materials, including fruit and vegetable processing, online businesses, and home gardening.



The training will equip members with entrepreneurial skills across various sectors to enhance their economic opportunities. With the exhibition, Mrs. Afenyo-Agbe pointed out that it is the phase where participants showcase their products and talk about their business, adding that the exhibition is an annual event where members showcase their products and services, demonstrating their entrepreneurial skills.



The event invited potential investors, financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to promote networking and investment opportunities.

Touching on the competition aspect of the TECS4LIVE project, she explained that this is a business plan competition where members create business plans that address specific challenges and have the potential to attract funding. The competition will lead to the creation of viable businesses, with winners receiving funding and support to launch their ventures.

The competition, according to her, is to encourage members to develop innovative business solutions. Church members of all ages are encouraged to participate, fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Regarding the support, Dr. Mrs. Afenyo-Agbe shared that the goal was to provide ongoing support for the entrepreneurial activities of church members. The support is divided into two categories:

1. Non-Financial Support (NFS): Including mentoring, coaching, and counselling, which offer guidance and advice from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals.

Networking opportunities also connect members with business networks to facilitate growth and development.

2. Financial Support (FS) where possible: Seed capital, assistance with business registration, market research, and product certification are made available.

Rational for TECS4LIVE

Mr. Stephen Adu, Chair of UIC, expressed his elation for the exhibition, highlighting that the main rationale for the project was to provide skills training for unemployed youth within the church. He recounted that a group of church members had come up with the innovative idea of providing such support and training, particularly for unemployed youth.

Further, Mr. Adu noted that the second aspect of the project was to publicise those who already had businesses to their congregation. The UIC TECS4LIVE seeks to create a platform for collaboration, fostering business relationships amongst congregants.

"These people; Prof. Daniel K. Agyapong, Dr. Mrs. Ewoenam Afua Afenyo-Agbe, Madam Georgina Morny, and Mr. Evans Kwame Ofori have done a yoemans and deserve commendation", stated Mr. Adu.

Reechoing similar sentiments, Rev. Victor Yeboah Gyabaah, a pastor of UIC, pointed out that this is the first of its kind under their TECS4LIVE, where people with business ideas or existing businesses get the opportunity to be trained and exhibit their products to the entire membership.

The programme provides a platform where church members can patronise their products, while also partnering with them to expand the business. "To have access to the exhibition is free, but obviously if one sees any item of interest, it needs to be purchased as part of supporting the businesses exhibiting," stressed Pastor Yeboah Gyabaah.

Data on employment in Ghana shows that in 2023, about a quarter of the population aged 15 to 35 years was not in employment, education, or training (NEET) across the three quarters. This represents about 2.5 million persons (GSS, 2023). It is a fact that the demographic characteristic of our Church is more youthful than adults. Therefore, there is a need to initiate a project that empowers the youth to earn income and helps church members who are currently employed earn additional livelihoods.

In all, more than 60 people were trained, but only 40 are exhibiting today. This is because some trainees do not yet have operational businesses, while others are too involved in businesses that are not easy to exhibit.

Entrepreneurship and the Bible

The Bible emphasizes the importance of combining faith with works, highlighting the need for practical actions that complement spiritual beliefs. James 2:17 states, "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." This project aims to embody this principle by helping church members develop their talents in faith, not only to benefit humanity but also to generate income and improve their quality of life. Given their needs, it is imperative for the church to support its members in addressing their physical and economic challenges. By doing so, the church can foster a holistic approach to well-being, combining spiritual growth with practical support.

Way Forward

The UIC has held its maiden training and exhibition trade fair with the vision of making it an annual programme. The project aims to harness the business ideas of the church, helping the youth to leverage on the church's platform to boost their businesses. Will the youth continue to take advantage after the maiden edition? Only time will tell.