Adnan Adams Mohammed
President John Mahama’s Adwumawura Initiative targets 2000 businesses to receive comprehensive support in the phase one of its implementation.
With about 10,000 youth businesses receiving free business advisory supports yearly.
President Mahama yesterday launched the Adwumawura Programme Initiative, a flagship programme designed to create jobs and empower youth across the country.
The Adwumawura Programme aims to create, track, and monitor young businesses annually, with a special focus on the youth. This program is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to prioritize youth empowerment and job creation.
Speaking at the launch of the program at Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi, President Mahama emphasized that the Adwumawura Programme would not be a mere fanfare, but a fully funded initiative with adequate allocation by the Ministry of Finance in the 2025 budget.
President Mahama said that the program is committed to stimulating youth employment through a nationwide selection to empower youth employment initiative programs. The program aims to provide access to funding, coaching, and mentorship to young entrepreneurs, enabling them to grow their businesses and create jobs.
“The Adwumawura Programme is not a mere policy initiative but a declaration of faith in the extraordinary potential in the Ghanaian youth. It is our commitment to nurturing the ambitions and translating their ideas into thriving enterprises that will drive our nation’s progress.
Adwumawura Programme seeks to stimulate youth employment entrepreneurship and innovation across key strategic sectors of our economy. Through a nationwide selection process, we will incubate its new businesses and accelerate existing ones,” he added.
According to him, about 10,000 youth are targeted every year for four years, with a focus on providing comprehensive business advisory services to support them.
The Adwumawura Programme is being implemented in partnership with the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), which would provide machines and equipment for businesses, market access facilitation, and other forms of support.
He President noted that a neutral body would be used to select businesses, with some starting this year and others in the following year, based on their potential for creation.
He disclosed, “the selection process for the program would be inclusive, with opportunities for youth in vocational schools, tertiary institutions, and senior high schools,” stressing that about 60% of the beneficiaries would be drawn from unemployed youth, women, the disabled, and youth from rural areas, to help contribute meaningfully to global youth employment indicators.
The President urged interested youth to log onto the program’s platform to apply and create jobs, ensuring that their businesses would be supported. He also announced that there would be trade expeditions for all companies supported by the program to showcase their products, as part of efforts to address inclusivity, facilitate access to funding, and partner with markets.
President Mahama called on traditional leaders and civil society organizations (CSOs) to partner with the government to invest in the young people through the Adwumawura Programme. He expressed his expectation that the program would lead to an increase in job creation, employment, and economic growth, ultimately building a better Ghana.
The launch of the Adwumawura Programme Initiative marks a significant step towards addressing youth unemployment and promoting entrepreneurship in Ghana. With its focus on inclusivity, access to funding, and comprehensive business advisory services, the program has the potential to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people across the country.
As the President , noted, the program is not just an initiative, but a commitment to stimulating youth employment and building a better Ghana.
In its first phase, the top 2,000 implementable business proposals will receive comprehensive support, including:
Business Development Training: Equipping young entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in business.
Mentorship: Pairing young entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders and mentors.
Access to Start-up Capital: Providing financial support to help young entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into reality.
Marketing and Networking: Offering platforms for young entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services, and connect with potential customers and partners.
