A wave of youthful innovation swept through the Koforidua Technical University as fifty teenage girls from four senior high schools showcased groundbreaking business ideas at the third edition of the Girls Start-Up Workshop, organized by Seeds of Fortune – Ghana in collaboration with Black Star Pearls of Ghana.
The two-day initiative wasn’t just another school programme—it was a launchpad for girls aged 15–18 to step into the world of entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and creative problem-solving. Through hands-on training in business ideation, digital literacy, website development, and public pitching, students transformed their passions into actionable business models.
“Preparing girls for Ghana’s emerging digital and entrepreneurial economy is no longer optional—it’s urgent,” said Lady Juliet Nyarko Adansi, Country Lead for Seeds of Fortune – Ghana. She emphasised that empowering girls with future-ready skills in tech and business not only benefits them individually but also fuels national development.
Founded in the United States, Seeds of Fortune Incorporated provides career development, financial literacy, and leadership training for young women globally. The Ghana chapter has been actively translating that mission into action through grassroots programmes like this one.
At the heart of the event was the Pull-Up and Pitch competition, where students took the stage to present bold, real-world solutions to a panel of judges. The competition was supported by Black Star Pearls of Ghana, an interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, committed to supporting girls’ education and leadership across Africa.
Winners Turn Problems Into Purpose
The top prizes went to girls who proved that innovation doesn’t require age—just insight and initiative.
Ernestina Lagbe, a Form Two student of Oti Boateng SHS, clinched first place with her reusable woven shopping bag project, aimed at reducing plastic waste in local markets.
Onlin Akorfa, also of Oti Boateng SHS, took second place with a business model focused on producing affordable, nutritious fish feed to support Ghana’s growing aquaculture sector.
Sandra Bortsie of New Juaben SHS came in third with her creatively designed drawstring backpack to help students carry utensils to the dining hall—combining convenience with hygiene.
All three girls received laptops and certificates to further support their entrepreneurial journeys.
Cultivating Ghana’s Next Generation of Business Leaders
Professor Delia Gillss, representing Black Star Pearls, commended the students for their creativity and courage. “It’s not just about winning—it’s about seeing a problem and taking initiative to solve it,” she said, encouraging the girls to continue building on their ideas.
Participants left the workshop not only with technical knowledge but also with mentorship connections, a clearer sense of their potential, and real-world experience in turning ideas into pitches—and pitches into plans.
Speaking after the event, Ms. Bortsie called the workshop “a foundation to start a business and earn an income.” Her sentiment echoed the broader impact of the programme: equipping young girls to create, lead, and thrive in spaces they are often excluded from.
The participating schools—Oti Boateng SHS, Ghana SHS, New Juaben SHS, and Oyoko Methodist SHS—hailed the programme as a transformative experience that should be replicated nationwide.
As Ghana pushes for inclusive economic growth and innovation, the seeds planted in this workshop may very well sprout into the next generation of tech founders, social entrepreneurs, and policy changemakers—one girl at a time.
