Young innovators have presented bold and creative solutions to societal challenges at the maiden edition of the Changemakers Challenge, an initiative spearheaded by Akosua Asaa Manu to nurture innovative thinking among young people.

The programme, held on Friday, March 6, 2026, brought together a group of young participants who pitched enterprise-driven ideas aimed at addressing various social and economic challenges.

The event provided a platform for the innovators to showcase their concepts while receiving mentorship and guidance on how to transform their ideas into viable ventures capable of making a meaningful impact in their communities.

During the mentorship session, participants delivered 15-minute presentations outlining proposals that ranged from community development initiatives to business concepts designed to tackle pressing societal issues.

Addressing the gathering, Ms Manu, who is the principal of the programme, emphasised the importance of supporting young people with promising ideas and providing them with opportunities to refine those ideas into practical solutions.

“The purpose of the Changemakers Challenge is to identify bold ideas, nurture them through mentorship, and help transform them into enterprises that can create real impact in our communities,” she said.

According to her, Ghana’s future development will increasingly depend on young people who are prepared to think creatively and design innovative responses to national challenges.

She further explained that the initiative seeks not only to recognise outstanding ideas but also to provide mentorship and support structures that will enable participants to grow their concepts into sustainable projects or businesses.

“The future of our country depends on young people who are prepared to innovate and act. What we are doing through this challenge is to create a platform where ideas can be nurtured and refined so that they can contribute meaningfully to national development,” she added.

The mentorship session formed part of a selection process aimed at identifying the top three proposals to be adopted and supported under the programme.

Participants presented their ideas before a panel of assessors, who engaged them with questions to evaluate the feasibility, scalability and potential impact of the proposed solutions.

In addition to the pitching sessions, the programme included a training segment focused on running and sustaining an enterprise. Participants received practical insights into entrepreneurship, business development and leadership, with emphasis on strategic planning, financial discipline and effective market positioning.

Ms Manu explained that the training component was designed to bridge the gap between innovative thinking and real-world implementation by equipping participants with the skills, networks and mentorship required to develop their ideas into sustainable ventures.

She noted that while three finalists will be selected for direct support, the remaining participants will also continue to benefit from mentorship and guidance to help refine their proposals.

These improved ideas, she said, will be shared with potential mentors and partners who may support their development into impactful initiatives.

Organisers expressed optimism that the Changemakers Challenge will evolve into a broader platform for identifying and supporting young innovators across the country.

By combining mentorship, enterprise training and partnership opportunities, the initiative aims to empower the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into solutions that benefit society.