The Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs (GCYE) has issued an urgent appeal to the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), calling for an immediate extension of the application deadline for the Adwumawura Programme, citing widespread technical and logistical challenges.

In a formal letter addressed to NEIP’s Acting CEO, Mr. Eric Adjie, GCYE Chief Executive Officer Sherif Ghali noted that many young innovators have been unable to submit their applications due to intermittent portal downtimes and difficulties accessing necessary documentation from the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) offices.

“With the application window set to close today, it is imperative that NEIP considers extending the deadline to at least the end of June,” Ghali urged. “This extension would ensure that all deserving young entrepreneurs are not unfairly excluded due to factors beyond their control.”

The Adwumawura Programme, launched as part of NEIP’s youth entrepreneurship drive, has been hailed as a pivotal opportunity for startups and small businesses led by young Ghanaians. However, GCYE—one of Ghana’s foremost youth entrepreneurship advocacy bodies—warns that without an extension, the programme risks falling short of its inclusive ambition.

According to the Chamber, the high volume of traffic on the application portal has led to system lags, leaving applicants stranded mid-process. Additionally, delays in securing hardcopy verification documents from YEA offices have compounded the challenge for many potential beneficiaries.

The letter, also copied to the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, reaffirms GCYE’s readiness to collaborate with NEIP to “foster a thriving and innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

This call comes amid growing anticipation around the Adwumawura initiative and renewed focus on youth-led economic transformation in Ghana. NEIP is yet to officially respond to the appeal.