The Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Adjei, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting youth-owned businesses under the Adwumawura Programme, stressing that the initiative goes far beyond the provision of funding.
Addressing concerns raised by some beneficiaries, Mr Adjei said the feedback received has been valuable and will help ensure the programme is implemented efficiently and effectively.
He explained that from its launch, the Adwumawura Programme was designed as a comprehensive business development intervention, not a grant-only initiative. According to him, the programme aims to build the capacity of at least 10,000 youth-owned businesses each year through structured training, mentorship, and access to critical support services.
Mr Adjei revealed that beneficiaries across the country have already completed five weeks of intensive entrepreneurship training. He added that training partners and innovation hubs have been tasked to provide continuous mentorship to interested beneficiaries for a six-month period.
As part of preparations for funding support, he said training partners are working closely with beneficiaries to refine their business plans for submission to NEIP. An independent Grant Management Committee, he noted, will soon be inaugurated to assess the submitted business plans and make recommendations for disbursement.
Touching on sector-specific support, the NEIP CEO disclosed that, under a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, beneficiaries interested in poultry farming will be enrolled under the “Nkokonketee” programme. This will involve the provision of birds and feed to support their operations.
He said training partners have been instructed to compile lists of beneficiaries interested in the poultry module, but NEIP is yet to receive complete submissions from all partners and innovation hubs.
Mr Adjei further announced that ideation-stage businesses will receive support to formally register their companies with the Office of the Registrar of Companies. He added that NEIP will also facilitate the acquisition of relevant certifications and licences from institutions such as the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, among other business development services.
Reassuring beneficiaries, Mr Adjei said NEIP remains committed, dedicated, and determined to ensuring the success of businesses under the Adwumawura Programme.
He urged beneficiaries to ensure their business plans have been duly submitted through their respective training partners and to prepare to pitch before the Grant Disbursement Committee ahead of the next phase of the programme.
Story by Doe Benjamin Kofi Lawson