President John Dramani Mahama has launched the Adwumawura initiative, a new program designed to create 40,000 youth-owned businesses across Ghana over the next four years.
The initiative comes as Ghana faces persistent youth unemployment challenges, with thousands of young graduates entering the job market each year.
Rather than focusing solely on employment creation, the Adwumawura Program aims to transform job seekers into job creators through entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the launch event in Kumasi, on Monday, President Mahama announced plans to establish 10,000 new youth-owned businesses annually throughout the four-year implementation period of the program.
“The Adwumawura Program is not a mere policy initiative but our commitment to nurturing their ambitions and translating their ideas into thriving enterprises that will drive our nation’s progress,” he noted
He stated that the program will provide multiple forms of support to young entrepreneurs, including business development training, access to funding, coaching and mentorship, technological support, equipment access, and market facilitation.
According to the president, participants will also receive year-round business advisory services to help navigate challenges as they arise.
“We are envisioning a Ghana where our youth no longer move from office to office with CVs in hand, but instead become job creators, innovators, and leaders,” he said.
In a move toward greater inclusivity, President Mahama noted that at least 60% of beneficiaries will come from traditionally underserved groups, including women and girls, persons with disabilities, unemployed youth, rural populations, and former illegal miners known locally as “galamseyers.”
“For youth who come from mining communities and were involved in galamsey, we want to shift them away from galamsey, so we prioritize them to be able to set up their own businesses,” he explained.
According to him, applications would be evaluated based on “scalability, sustainability, and potential for job creation” by an independent selection committee.
To showcase the success of the initiative, the President disclosed that government is planning an annual Adwumawura trade fair and exhibition where beneficiaries can display their products and connect with potential investors and partners.
President Mahama said this program differs from previous initiatives,
“This program is not like others that were announced in the recent past with a lot of fanfare but proved to be mirages without adequate funding to sustain them.”
“The Adwumawura is fully funded with adequate allocations provided by the Ministry of Finance in the 2025 budget,” he emphasised
The program’s website (adwumawura.neip.gov.gh) is expected to begin accepting applications in May 2025, with the first cohort of businesses to be selected by the end of the year. The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (NEIP), operating under the newly established Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, will lead implementation efforts.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
