Kumasi Comes Live Today …With The Launch Of Adwumawura Programme

‘The Adwumawura Programme’ – biggest flagship programme in Ghana will be launched today by President John Dramani Mahama, in the Ashanti Region with the aim to support 10,000 businesses annually with business advisory services, funding, access to market, mentorship and networking.

In attendance will be the visioner of the programme, President Mahama, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Lawyer George Opare Addo, including the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Eric Adjei, among others.

Ahead of the launch, NEIP team had a meeting with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) boss, Hon. Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi and the Ashanti Regional Organiser, Hon Yaw Isham Bonsu.

The discussions were centered on how to execute The Adwumawura Programme launch successfully.

The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, is under the supervision of Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.

Ahead of the launch, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr. Eric Adjei moved from the comfort of his office to the grounds of Ashanti Region to engage the regional Minister, Hon Dr. Frank Amoakohene on how and means the Adwumawura Programme would achieve its purpose and vision.

The engagement was made possible by officials from NEIP office in Accra, and the regional Minister, among other important stakeholders.

In a Facebook post, Mr. Eric Adjei explained that, the discussion centred on how to have a successful launch of the Adwumawura Programme which will be held in the Ashanti Region.

“As part of efforts to launch the Adwumawura Program, the CEO for National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program, Mr. Eric Adjei, with some officials had a meeting with Hon Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minster. The discussion was centred on how to have a successful launch of the Adwumawura Programme which will be held in the Ashanti Region.

He added, “Mr. Eric Adjei and the team also commended the Hon. Minister for the AshantiFest initiative. The Adwumawura program is a flagship programme aimed at supporting 10,000 youth led businesses annually with business advisory services, funding, mentorship and networking, access to market, among others.”

Mr. Eric Adjei has however expressed excitement over the several initiatives his outfit has coming up, adding that, it would pave the way for hope for all Ghanaians irrespective of party affiliation.

He mentioned the 120-day key policies, the Adwumawura initiative, the Nkoko Ntiti policy which he explained would be in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

“When you look at our 120-day key policies, as outlined by His Excellency in his address to the nation, the Adwumawura initiative was already developed and submitted as a concept. Other initiatives, such as the Vice-Presidential Women Empowerment Program for Persons with Disabilities, the Coders Program, and the National Apprenticeship Program (all developed by NEIP), were also part of our plans” he stated emphatically in an interview on Asempa FM ‘Ekosiisen’ on Wednesday March 5, 2025.

He further explained how the initiatives would improve on the living condition of the Ghanaian populace, “However, only Adwumawura was mentioned in the address. The aim of Adwumawura is to train Ghanaians by providing mentorship and equipping them with the skills needed to create their own jobs. The initiative intends to train 10,000 youth and provide them with startup capital and equipment. Additionally, we plan to develop a mobile app to showcase our initiatives for the country. We are introducing new programs and want NEIP to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture for the implementation of Mahama’s Nkoko Ntiti policy”.

Eric Adjei’s leadership marks a renewed focus on creating an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs, aiming to reduce unemployment and drive economic growth. By providing targeted support and resources, NEIP seeks to empower the youth, fostering a culture of self-reliance and innovation across the nation.

The Adwumawura Programme, he explained in a separate interview would support 10,000 young Ghanaians aged 18 to 35 in launching and growing their businesses when implementation commences.

The Adwumawura Programme is a flagship policy of H.E. John Dramani Mahama’s government to train and support youth-led businesses across the country with entrepreneurial skills, access to funding, market and business advisory services annually.

He further stated that, the initiative technical committee responsibilities, include identifying viable start-ups, addressing regulatory challenges, and ensuring businesses under the program align with the 24-hour economy policy.

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)​.

2. 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)​.

3. 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​.
4. 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.