Danish Minister Tells Gov’t to Empower Entrepreneurs

Mr. Anders Samuelsen, the Danish Foreign Minister has called on government of Ghana to empower entrepreneurs to grow and expand their businesses.

He said an expanded economy built on the back of entrepreneurs would create more jobs for unemployed young people.

According to him Ghana’s quest to develop its economy beyond aid depended highly on empowering entrepreneurs.

Mr. Samuelsen made the remarks when he was hosted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in Accra.

The Danish Minister accompanied the Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II on a two-day visit to Ghana.

At the meeting wtih young Ghanaian entrepreneurs who cut across various sectors, he said it was inspiring to meet promising young entrepreneurs in Ghana with great spirits to change things around them as well as to create businesses that meet the needs of society.

“What we have been able to do in Denmark is to make it very easy to start a new business. We have more or less everything online such that you can easily register your businesses without difficulties,” Mr. Samuelsen said.

He said Denmark’s entrepreneurial ecosystem was one that promoted young businesses through capacity building and financial support, adding that; “for instance, the country’s Innovation Fund Denmark annually selects young entrepreneurs whose business ideas receive coaching and funding to become growth companies.”

Mr. Samuelsen said the Innovation Fund Denmark invests in the development of new research-based knowledge and technology creating growth and employment in Denmark, stressing that; “The Fund provides risk capital that enables innovation and partnerships, where companies, universities and public authorities work together on challenges facing society today.”

“With Denmark pushing to shift the paradigm of its economic ties with Ghana from aid to trade, Ghanaian government’s vision could transit the country from aid to trade, which meant new businesses from Ghanaian and Danish investors,” he said.

The Danish Minister was accompanied by Ms Susanne Hyldelund, Danish Secretary of State, Mr Anders Kaldan Helstrand, Private Secretary, Mr Peter Eilschow Olesen, Deputy Head of Mission, Danish Embassy, Accra and Ms Anne Moller Ege, Press Advisor.

Source: thePublisher