Youth entrepreneurs across Ghana are presenting their business ideas to a panel of experts in a nationwide pitching exercise under the Adwumawura Programme, as part of efforts to secure grants to expand their enterprises.
The exercise, being coordinated by the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), is taking place across all 16 regions and involves beneficiaries from the country’s 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
According to a statement issued by NEIP, the pitching sessions follow a five-week capacity-building programme designed to equip young entrepreneurs with practical skills in entrepreneurship, business management and growth strategies.
At the end of the nationwide process, at least 2,000 youth-owned businesses considered viable, scalable and capable of creating decent jobs are expected to receive financial and input grants.
The selection process is being overseen by the Grants Management Committee, an independent body inaugurated by the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment to ensure that grants are awarded fairly and based on merit.
The Committee is tasked with evaluating businesses drawn from the 10,887 enterprises already supported under the programme to determine those with the strongest potential to contribute meaningfully to economic growth and youth employment.
The statement encouraged beneficiaries to remain patient throughout the rigorous selection process, noting that the approach is designed to ensure that grants are awarded to businesses capable of using the funds efficiently to create sustainable jobs.
The final stage of the programme will involve the disbursement of grants to the selected businesses as part of efforts to promote youth entrepreneurship and stimulate economic development.
