Vice-President Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman has reaffirmed the government’s resolve to put young people at the heart of Ghana’s economic transformation, describing the newly launched Adwumawura Programme as a bold and transformative initiative redefining entrepreneurship and innovation in the country.
She made the assurance at the onboarding and orientation ceremony for the first cohort of Adwumawura beneficiaries held at the University of Ghana, where she outlined the government’s vision for youth-led enterprise development and praised the collaborative efforts that had brought the programme to life.
A flagship initiative for youth enterprise
The Adwumawura Programme, officially launched in April 2025 by President John Dramani Mahama, aims to directly support 10,000 youth-owned businesses across Ghana, offering not just funding but also capacity building, mentorship, and access to markets. The initiative is spearheaded by the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), under the leadership of Mr. Eric Adjei, and delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, headed by Hon. George Opare Addo.
Vice-President Opoku Agyeman said the initiative was conceived to respond to the twin challenges of unemployment and underemployment that have left many young Ghanaians struggling to translate talent into tangible livelihoods.
By providing holistic support to innovative ideas, she explained, Adwumawura seeks to place young entrepreneurs at the centre of Ghana’s growth story.
Overwhelming response from Ghanaian youth
According to the Vice-President, interest in the programme has been unprecedented.
The maiden call for applications attracted over 100,000 entries, reflecting what she described as “a deep hunger among Ghana’s youth for opportunity, innovation, and self-reliance.”
Out of this massive pool, 10,000 entrepreneurs were selected following what she said was a transparent and credible process.
The selection process, she noted, was supervised by a broad-based panel drawn from government, academia, the private sector, and development partners to guarantee fairness and credibility.
“The integrity of the process was essential,” she said, adding that those who made the cut represented a diverse and promising cross-section of Ghana’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Building more than businesses
While acknowledging the importance of funding and training, Vice President Opoku Agyeman emphasized that Adwumawura is ultimately about much more than financial assistance.
“The Adwumawura Programme is not just about funding and training,” she declared.
“It is about creating an environment where the discipline, focus, honesty, and resilience of our entrepreneurs will drive sustainable development.”
She urged the young beneficiaries to see themselves as pioneers of a new culture of enterprise in Ghana—one built not only on innovation but also on integrity and ethical responsibility. “Government will provide support, but your commitment and values will determine your success,” she told them.
Setting the pace for national transformation
Highlighting the broader national vision behind the initiative, the Vice President underscored the central role of youth in shaping Ghana’s future.
She noted that the country’s demographic profile, with young people forming the majority, presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
“Ghanaian youth are not waiting for tomorrow; they are leading today,” she said. “As pioneers of this programme, the first cohort must set high standards and demonstrate that with the right support, young people can build a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable economy.”
She added that the programme was designed to trigger a ripple effect of innovation, job creation, and sustainable growth, positioning Ghana’s youth at the very heart of national development.
Recognition for partners and trainers
The Vice President also paid glowing tribute to hub trainers, development partners, and the selection committee, stressing that their contributions had been “pivotal to the programme’s success.”
She described the collaborative approach as evidence that sustainable solutions to national challenges require partnerships across sectors.
A new social contract for youth empowerment
Observers say the launch of Adwumawura signals not just a new government programme but a potential shift in Ghana’s approach to economic development—one that prioritises youth enterprise as a driver of social change.
For Vice President Opoku Agyeman, the programme represents a cornerstone of the government’s broader reset agenda, which seeks to build resilience, reduce unemployment, and ensure that growth is inclusive.
“We are laying the foundations for a new social contract where government empowers youth, and youth, in turn, lead Ghana into a future of innovation and prosperity,” she said.
With 10,000 young entrepreneurs now officially on board, the government hopes the initiative will mark the beginning of a sustained movement in which Ghana’s youth move from the margins to the forefront of economic transformation.
