The 5th Edition of the Presidential Pitch initiative has been launched by the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) as part of government effort to create jobs among Ghanaian youth across the country.
The programme is geared towards supporting the youth to unearth their skills and talents to enable them become entrepreneurs and be self- independent in the job market.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, under the theme, ” Youth Entrepreneurship: Power and Possibilities,” the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NEIP Madam Abigail Swad Laryea said the initiative is an opportunity for young people to turn their business ideas into reality.
This year’s entrepreneurship competition includes areas such as agriculture, Tourism, Creative Arts, Processing, Finance, Tech, TVET, Manufacturing through a competition which attracts a prize package of 3 million Ghana cedis with an overall winner taking home a prize of Gh₵ 250.000.
According to her, the programme has created 891 direct jobs and empowered young people to challenge themselves by taking advantage of the numerous opportunities in the entrepreneurship space as the website for applications has been launched as interested persons are encouraged to apply through NEIP website.
She said the programmes primary objective is to create jobs and reduce
youth unemployment and explain further that the operations of NEIP is to build an inclusive, integrated, innovative and conducive ecosystem for entrepreneurs in the country.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer emphasised that monitoring and mentorship will be crucial for qualified applicants to receive the needed support to grow their business, adding that programme have empowered many young entrepreneurs to operate their own businesses.
“Respective business ideas must be innovative, feasible, original, scalable and impactful in the bid to help address societal challenges and find lasting solutions in the entrepreneurial space,” she added.
Report by Ben Laryea of Daily Searchlight
