His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama has launched the Adwumawura Programme Initiative, a flagship program designed to create jobs and empower youth across the country.
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 stated 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. According to the President, 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. The 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.
The selection process for the program would be inclusive, with opportunities for youth in vocational schools, tertiary institutions, and senior high schools. President Mahama stressed 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 President Mahama noted, the program is not just an initiative, but a commitment to stimulating youth employment and building a better Ghana.
Source:Ayisah Foster||Punch newspaper
