Alhaji Seidu Agongo, a prominent Ghanaian businessman, has announced a plan to hand out 10,000 free sewing machines across the country. The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), targets women and vulnerable youth, offering them tools to launch or expand careers in dressmaking, tailoring and related garment trades.
Speaking about the project, Agongo said it was sparked by his travels throughout Ghana, where he witnessed the hardships faced by many under‑privileged families. He noted that many young people and women remain trapped in poverty despite their determination and potential. "Across our country, I have seen at first hand the struggles of many young people and families. Many of them need only a little support to break free from poverty and build sustainable livelihoods," he said.
The programme will focus on beneficiaries who are school dropouts, widows, orphans and other socially disadvantaged persons who often lack access to employment opportunities. Agongo stressed that the scheme is non‑partisan and designed with clear guidelines to ensure transparency, fairness and equal access nationwide.
Agongo’s philanthropic track record includes donations of food, clothing and relief supplies worth GH¢1.4 million to flood victims in Accra, support for Korle‑Bu Teaching Hospital, construction of school buildings, and sponsorship of under‑privileged children’s education. He views philanthropy as both a social responsibility and a religious duty, saying, "As a Muslim, my faith teaches me that service to mankind is service to Allah. Giving is not a choice but a duty."
The distribution of the sewing machines is expected to create opportunities for thousands of women and young people to acquire livelihoods, build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic development. The program’s launch is slated for early October, with beneficiaries to be selected through a transparent application process.
