Global Reach: Past Grantees

Context:

Ghana’s official statistics on youth unemployment paint a complex picture showing 68% of the youth population (15-35) as employed, 5% unemployed and 27% inactive, but mask the fact that a third of those in work are contributing family workers and may not actually earn additional income. Independent estimates (e.g. the ILO, used by the World Bank) further complicate the picture by stating that 49% of young men (15-24) and 3% of young women (15-24) are unemployed.

Organization:

Pro Link is a non-profit organisation established in 1993 by Dr Bernice Heloo who wished to make grass roots communities the authors of their own development. The organisation however did not start its work in earnest until 2000 when Dr Helloo left her position as Project Manager for Care International. Pro Link’s mission is to empower disadvantaged populations, especially women and girls, to uphold their human rights and improve their lives. Its work has seven thematic areas (health; capacity building; economic empowerment; advocacy, social engagement and accountability; environmental protection; education and skills for youth; research;) but mostly focuses on health issues and particularly HIV/AIDS and economic empowerment for key populations (marginalised groups including sex workers, men who have sex with men and people living with HIV), especially women and youth. Pro Link has seven offices in five regions which include its headquarters in Accra.