The Adwumawura Programme which is expected to create 40,000 jobs over a four-year period is not just a policy but a commitment, a lifeline to the countless young men and women who rise every morning with big dreams but are often met with closed opportunities, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr. Eric Adjei has said.
He made this known during the launch of the Adwumawura Programme which took place at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi on Monday, April 28, 2025, drawing a significant audience of government officials, young entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
He further explained that, the programme is designed to provide financial support to both new and existing Ghanaian businesses, as well as offer coaching to young entrepreneurs with the goal of generating 10,000 jobs annually.
“The Adwumawura Programme is more than a policy. It is a commitment – a lifeline – to the countless young men and women who rise every morning with big dreams but are often met with closed doors. It is a bold promise that no dream is small, no idea too insignificant, and that under the leadership of President Mahama, every youth will have the opportunity to soar.
“Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen. In 2014 – through the Youth Enterprise Support Fund, which has today evolved into the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), thousands of young businesses, started by daring and determined Ghanaians, have been nurtured and supported”.
He added, “On behalf of the countless young entrepreneurs whose lives have been transformed because of your vision, Mr. President, I say: thank you. And to the many more who are about to embark on their journey with The Adwumawura Programme, I say: your time has come!
“Today, the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, with the strong backing of the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, stands ready. We will not just launch businesses. We will nurture dreams. We will build legacies. We will light the path for generations to come. Through partnerships with Development Partners, Industry Leaders, Private Sector players, Civil Society, and of course, the vibrant youth themselves, we are poised to make this initiative the turning point for youth entrepreneurship in Ghana.”
About NEIP
The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) is a comprehensive initiative by the Ghanaian government designed to foster entrepreneurship and spur economic growth by supporting startups and small businesses.
Here’s a deeper look into various aspects of the programme: 1. Objective and Vision: The NEIP’s primary objective is to create a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurship that supports start-ups and small businesses, driving them towards success and sustainability.
This is part of a broader vision to consolidate Ghana’s middle-income status by building an industry-driven economy that can provide sustainable and decent jobs (Ministry of Business Development Ghana).
- Key Initiatives Presidential Business Support Programme: This initiative offers business development support to entrepreneurs. It includes training, funding, and mentorship to help businesses scale and become competitive both locally and internationally (NEIP Ghana). Greenhouse Initiative: Focused on agriculture, this project involves the largest greenhouse estate in West Africa, aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and sustainability (NEIP Ghana).
Hubs Acceleration Grant Programme (HAGP): Targets the enhancement of entrepreneurship and innovation hubs by providing grants of up to $200,000. This support helps hubs elevate the quality of their services to international standards and assists in their efforts to develop the private enterprise ecosystem (NEIP Ghana) (The Business & Financial Times).
- Sector Focus: The NEIP places a significant emphasis on non-resource-based sectors to diversify Ghana’s economy away from traditional resource dependencies. This includes technology, agriculture, and manufacturing. The programme supports initiatives like smart farming and agro-processing under its “Youth in Innovative Agriculture Support” to increase productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
- Inclusion and Support: The programme encourages the participation of diverse groups including women, youth, and persons with disabilities. It aims to leverage the untapped potential within these demographics to fuel entrepreneurial ventures and innovation (The Business & Financial Times). 5. Monitoring and Impact To ensure the effectiveness of its initiatives, NEIP undertakes rigorous monitoring and evaluation. This involves tracking the progress of funded projects and assessing their impact on the economy and job creation. This continuous assessment helps in refining the programmes and ensuring that the funds are used effectively to achieve the intended outcomes. The NEIP serves as a critical tool in Ghana’s strategy to nurture an entrepreneurial culture, enhance business capabilities, and stimulate economic development.
