President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the Adwumawura Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering Ghana’s youth and driving economic transformation.
The launch event, held in Kumasi, marked a significant milestone in the President’s commitment to youth development and economic empowerment, fulfilling a promise made ahead of the 2024 elections.
The Adwumawura Program is designed to support the creation of 10,000 youth-owned businesses annually over the next four years.
Targeting young entrepreneurs across the country, the program seeks to provide business development training, access to funding, mentorship, technological support, and market facilitation to ensure the success and sustainability of these ventures.
In his keynote address, President Mahama emphasized that the program is more than just a policy initiative; it is a bold declaration of faith in the potential of Ghana’s youth. “This program stands as a flagship fulfillment of the promise I made during the 2024 campaign to prioritize the welfare and economic empowerment of our youth,” Mahama stated. “It is our commitment to nurturing their ambitions and translating their ideas into thriving enterprises that will drive our nation’s progress.”
The Adwumawura Program will provide comprehensive support to both new and existing businesses.
Entrepreneurs with established businesses can also apply for assistance, enabling them to scale their operations and reach new heights. The program’s goal is to ensure that businesses created under this initiative are sustainable, scalable, and capable of generating jobs.
“For many young people, the biggest barrier to starting a business is access to capital,” President Mahama noted.
“This program will provide the funding and coaching needed to help them succeed. We will also offer technological support, market access, and 360-degree business advisory services to ensure their businesses thrive.”
The program will be inclusive, offering equal opportunities for youth from all educational backgrounds. Whether a young person is a university graduate, a vocational school alum, or someone with little formal education, the Adwumawura Program will provide the resources and mentorship needed to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
The President also announced that at least 60% of the beneficiaries will be women and girls, particularly those in male-dominated industries, as well as persons living with disabilities, unemployed and underemployed youth, out-of-school youth, and individuals from marginalized communities.
Special attention will be given to youth from areas affected by conflict and those previously engaged in illegal mining activities, or galamsey, offering them a chance to shift towards more sustainable livelihoods.
“Through this program, we aim to reduce youth unemployment and empower young people to become job creators rather than job seekers,” President Mahama said. “The Adwumawura Program is designed to support the youth in creating businesses that will contribute to Ghana’s economic growth and prosperity.”
The Adwumawura Program will be implemented by the newly established Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, in collaboration with the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (NEIP).
The initiative will include an annual Adwumawura Trade Fair and Exhibition, offering beneficiaries a platform to showcase their products and services, build partnerships, and attract investments.
The program will focus on six key pillars: inclusivity, building a robust national system for ideation and acceleration, facilitating access to funding, integrating technology and business development, providing access to markets and investment opportunities, and establishing a transparent monitoring and evaluation system to ensure the sustainability of businesses.
“The future is not something we wait for; it is something we build together,” President Mahama declared. “Starting today, the Adwumawura Program is your opportunity to create, build, and lead. Let your dreams take flight and your innovations find expression.”
With the Adwumawura Program now officially launched, Ghana’s youth have a new platform to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into successful businesses, contributing to the nation’s economic transformation.
Eric Adjei, Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (NEIP), outlined the program’s mission and the broader vision for youth development under the leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.
Eric Adjei emphasized that the program was not just a policy but a commitment to providing young men and women with opportunities to turn their dreams into reality.
“This is more than just a program. It is a lifeline for countless young individuals who rise each morning with big dreams but often face closed doors,” Adjei stated. “Under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, no dream is too small, no idea is too insignificant. We will help the youth soar.”
The Adwumawura Program is a continuation of President Mahama’s legacy of youth empowerment, first seeded in 2014 through the Youth Enterprise Support Fund. This initiative has evolved into the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (NEIP), which has already helped thousands of young entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground.
Adjei highlighted several key interventions being implemented by NEIP, including the Presidential Innovation Challenge, which seeks to ignite youth-driven innovation in various sectors, including green entrepreneurship.
He also mentioned the Vice Presidential Empowerment Program for Women and Persons with Disabilities, which ensures that no one is left behind in the journey toward inclusive economic development.
Through this initiative, the President’s administration reaffirms its commitment to fostering an environment where young Ghanaians can thrive, innovate, and lead.
