Ghana Youth Entrepreneurship Program Starts, 10,000 Admitted
Ghana recently celebrated a major step toward curbing youth unemployment. Specifically, the maiden cohort of the Ghana youth entrepreneurship program, Adwumawura, admitted ten thousand young Ghanaians. This flagship government initiative utilizes innovation and entrepreneurial skills to create jobs. Furthermore, the program operates under the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP). It falls within the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.
The Adwumawura Programme assists citizens aged 18 to 35. Therefore, it provides them with technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills. These skills will help them start and expand their businesses successfully. Officials launched the program in April this year. Consequently, the government backed it with substantial funding. The 2025 National Budget provided GH¢110 million through the Ministry of Finance. Beneficiaries will receive practical training. This training covers essential areas like business planning and financial management. In addition, they will gain expertise in digital skills and customer service. Moreover, the package includes mentorship, start-up kits, and market access. These resources promise to transform raw ideas into scalable enterprises.
The program attracted massive interest nationwide. For instance, over 120,000 applications poured in through various channels. From this large pool, officials selected 10,000 beneficiaries. They ensured selection from every constituency and region. Vice-President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang attended the onboarding ceremony. Consequently, she charged the youth cohort to seize this opportunity. She encouraged all the beneficiaries to embrace discipline and remain focused. She reminded them that the journey ahead would involve challenges. Nevertheless, she urged the cohort to stay resilient and committed.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang later described the program as a “national movement.” It seeks to drive innovation, create jobs, and transform the entire economy. Furthermore, the Vice-President confirmed the government’s dedication. She affirmed they invest in young people as Ghana’s most valuable resource. She added, “The true wealth of our country lies… in the creativity, energy and determination of our people.” Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment George Opare-Addo praised President John Dramani Mahama. He specifically lauded the President’s “unwavering dedication” to young people. He noted the President established a dedicated ministry. Conversely, he urged the government to increase the program’s budgetary allocation. He confirmed the government is committed to establishing 10,000 entrepreneurs annually.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku revealed a new partnership. His ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NEIP. This agreement supports entrepreneurs, particularly poultry farmers. This initiative, called Nkoko Nketenkete, provides crucial assistance. Beneficiaries will gain access to chicks, feed, and extension services. Opoku encouraged the youth to explore modern farming methods. Therefore, they should utilize mechanization and digital applications. The Ghana youth entrepreneurship program will greatly benefit the agricultural sector. The government anticipates continued success from this program.
