Eighty budding entrepreneurs have been shortlisted in the second edition of the McDan Entrepreneurship Challenge, a programme designed to groom entrepreneurs.
The number was winnowed out of over 14, 000 applicants nationwide.
The 80 contestants will be pitching their business ideas and modules to a panel of judges, out of which the overall winner will be selected and awarded a $100, 000 support fund.
Chairman of the McDan Group of Companies, Mr Daniel McKorley, said the programme would develop the competences and skills of the entrepreneurs.
He said that was his way of empowering the youth in entrepreneurship and supporting government in providing employment opportunities for the youth, adding that, “the government can’t do it alone, we all need to support it in building the capacities of the youth.”
“It’s about the impact we want to create and build the competences and skills of the youth for a better tomorrow. Unemployment is a major problem of the country, and we all must do our best and support government to curb it,” he said.
Mr. McKorley said the cash prize would help the winner scale up his or her company so as to employ others and make a positive impact in his or her community and the country as a whole, adding that, the rest would receive support from the Ministry of Business Development.
Mr. Augustine Blay, Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Ghana, called on the private sector to support government in addressing the challenge of youth unemployment.
He said government was committed to youth development hence the introduction of youth-centred programmes such as the Free Senior High School (SHS), National Builders Corps (NABCO), National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), among others.
He said the programmes were having a positive impact on the youth in building their competences and creating employment.
“A programme [such] as the Free SHS had over 1.2 million school children on board, whereas NABCO and NEIP were providing employment for the youth and providing them with capital to build their start ups,” he said.
Winner of the first edition of the challenge, Mr. Alhassan Hamza Akoligoh, advised contestants to be focused and not just be concerned about winning the prize money but build their skills as well.
“Focus on your business and not just the award prize. Your business shouldn’t just be about profit but creating an impact in the lives of others,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
I commend PURC for taking courageous step to fine ECG board members – Kwame Pianim
4 mins -
Financing assurance secured from bilateral creditors to aid 2nd review funding for Ghana – IMF Africa head
36 mins -
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump’s Manhattan hush money trial dies
51 mins -
Fuel purchase issues have nothing to do with personal interest – Egypa Mercer
55 mins -
ISRQ2024: Theorose School wins Championship with 0.5 points, heads to Canada
1 hour -
Use your voice, talents, skills to advocate for positive change – UniMAC VC tells graduates
1 hour -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses ‘dumsor’, Ex-MASLOC CEO jail and Election 2024
1 hour -
Otumfuo STEM Festival launched to find problem-solvers, promote science education
2 hours -
Irene Logan ties the knot in colourful ceremony
2 hours -
Alliance with other parties, not a merger – Alan Kyerematen
2 hours -
Ghana’s Mohammed Fuseini scores in Randers 2-2 draw Odense BK
2 hours -
We are behind schedule on flood control programme – Oppong Nkrumah
2 hours -
Jennifer Kankam scores five against Tala’ea El Gaish in ZED FC’s big win in Egyptian league
2 hours -
You won’t start at Hearts of Oak – Charles Taylor tells Erling Haaland
3 hours -
People have lost patriotism, passion for the nation – Sulemana Braimah
3 hours