At the 7th Igniting Dreams Summit held in Wa, the Coalition for Positive Impact (CPI) awarded three outstanding youth-led businesses after a competitive pitch session aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs in northern Ghana. The event, which attracted business enthusiasts and coaches, was part of CPI’s ongoing initiative to empower youth-led enterprises and help them thrive.
Table of Contents
Awards for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – CPI
Eight youth-led enterprises competed in the pitch competition, showcasing their potential to impact society positively. Mauvee’s Crafts emerged as the winner, securing the gold prize of GH₵12,000.00. The silver prize of GH₵9,000.00 was awarded to Mani Technology. At the same time, Dee Plastic Waste Management took the third-place bronze prize of GH₵7,000.00.
In addition to the competitive prizes, Zee Farms received the “People’s Choice” award of GH₵5,000.00, along with a consolation prize of GH₵1,000.00. Other participants, including Mariam Millinery and Fashion Design, SunRay Innovations, Kelmi’s Crochet Outfits, and Selyn’s Stitches, were each given a GH₵1,000.00 consolation prize.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators
During his address at the summit, Mr. Isam Nuhu, the Director of Operations at CPI, emphasised the importance of positioning young people strategically to take advantage of the opportunities in today’s shrinking job market. Since 2019, CPI has been committed to empowering youth to build businesses that create job opportunities for others, reducing the unemployment and poverty rates in Northern Ghana.
Preparing the Youth for Future Opportunities
Mr. Banguu Delle, Board Chairperson of CPI, highlighted the growing competition in Ghana’s job market, with a large portion of the population under 26 years old. He stressed the importance of equipping the youth with the skills necessary to seize entrepreneurial opportunities and secure a prosperous future.
Ms. Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson, founder of the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana, advocated for early exposure to Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering (STEM) education. She proposed introducing STEM education at the pre-primary level better to prepare the next generation for a rapidly evolving world.
Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Alhaji Inusah Mahama, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), discussed the need for investing in skills development, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and market access to ensure youth can thrive as job creators. The NYA is committed to collaborating with development partners to create an environment where young people can flourish as entrepreneurs.
A Partnership for Change
CPI organised the summit in partnership with several organisations, including the Sangu Delle Foundation, NoniHub, the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana, Blue Hill Hotel, Dilight Space, and mNotify. A panel discussion on “The Future of Work” explored emerging trends and the essential skills needed for success in the future workspace.
The Igniting Dreams Summit not only recognised the achievements of young entrepreneurs but also laid the foundation for continued growth and innovation in Northern Ghana.
