Starting this year, the overall prize for the Presidential Pitch has been named in honour of the late Dr. John Kumah, the founding CEO of the Presidential Pitch.
President Nana Akufo-Addo made this announcement during the season 5 event held at the Movenpick Hotel in Accra.
The President also revealed that, beginning next year, the week leading up to the Presidential Pitch will be designated as John Kumah Week to commemorate the late Ejisu MP and Deputy Finance Minister.
“Last year, I promised my dear friend, the late John Ampontuah Kumah, that we would one day celebrate entrepreneurship in his honour; that day has arrived,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
He further added, “With the support of the current CEO of NEIP, and in the presence of John’s family and loved ones, I declare that starting next year, the week preceding the Presidential Pitch will be known as the John Kumah Week of Entrepreneurship,” much to the admiration of the audience.
To further honour Dr. Kumah’s legacy, the first-place award for the winner of the Presidential Pitch will now be known as the Dr. John A. Kumah Prize for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
The Presidential Pitch serves as a platform to harness the entrepreneurial talents of young people.
The CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, highlighted the successes achieved so far, noting that the programme has created around 5,000 direct and indirect jobs since its inception.
This year’s winner of the Dr. John A. Kumah Prize for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is Naamgwinaa Samuel.
Ghanaians can soon expect his innovative Smart Switches to hit the market.
His specially designed smart switch allows users to control their home devices remotely by making calls from locations outside the home.
Samuel emphasized that these finalists have a vision, and the country owes them its care and support.
The prizes awarded were as follows:
1st – Smart Switch – Naamgwinaa Samuel – GH¢200,000 plus the President’s personal contribution of GH¢50,000
2nd – Freshline – Boadu Torkornoor Wisdom – GH¢150,000
3rd – Decor Plus – Bismark Osei – GH¢140,000
4th – Smart Watch – Amanda Aninagyei
5th – OGames Studio – Onyx Terchi-Duku – GH¢110,000
6th – Oasal Limited – Nyaro Lartey Billton – GH¢80,000
7th – Hullsnovation – Ziblim Abdul-Rahim – GH¢80,000
8th – Ecovon – Isaac Brenya and Foster Osei – GH¢80,000
9th – Verte Tower – Georgina Boamah – GH¢80,000
10th – GreenHeart SE – Caleb Lomo – GH¢80,000
In an interview with Adom News, Naamgwinaa Samuel, the winner of the Dr. John Kumah Prize for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, shared his excitement and plans for the future.
Source: Yaa Asantewaa.