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 noted.
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 start-ups and small businesses.
Here’s a deeper look into various aspects of the programme:
Objective and Vision:
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 aligns with a broader vision to consolidate Ghana’s middle-income status by building an industry-driven economy capable of providing sustainable and decent jobs.Key Initiatives:
Presidential Business Support Programme: Provides training, funding, and mentorship to help entrepreneurs grow businesses that are competitive both locally and internationally.
Greenhouse Initiative: Focused on agriculture, it houses the largest greenhouse estate in West Africa, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Hubs Acceleration Grant Programme (HAGP): Offers grants of up to $200,000 to support innovation and entrepreneurship hubs in improving their services to global standards and building the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Sector Focus:
NEIP prioritizes non-resource-based sectors such as technology, agriculture, and manufacturing. Programmes like “Youth in Innovative Agriculture Support” aim to promote smart farming and agro-processing to increase productivity and sustainability in agriculture.Inclusion and Support:
The programme actively promotes participation from women, youth, and persons with disabilities, tapping into their potential to drive innovation and entrepreneurial success.Monitoring and Impact:
To ensure accountability and effectiveness, NEIP conducts continuous monitoring and evaluation of its projects. This process helps track progress, measure impact on the economy and job creation, and refine its strategies accordingly.
NEIP stands as a vital tool in Ghana’s effort to build an entrepreneurial culture, enhance business capacity, and drive economic development.
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