The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo has revealed that the 2025 Budget and Economic policy will announce a number of initiatives geared towards supporting the youth.

He disclosed this at the launch of the Youth and Women Business Policy Environment Reform (YWPER) Project, organised by the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs.

In an interview with JoyBusiness, on the sidelines of the program, he assured that initiatives such as an entrepreneurial fund and other flagship youth-support programs promised in the National Democratic Congress' manifesto will be implemented this year to support the start-up ecosystem.

"The coders program will definitely take place this year. So it will definitely find space in the budget. The 'Adwuma Wura’ project will definitely find space in the budget and the National Apprenticeship Program as well."

"We have a number of initiatives in our manifesto. We made a 120 day pledge so we are committed to it" he added.

While he was upbeat about the establishment of an entrepreneurship fund he emphasized the need for an audit into already existing schemes.

"We promise that we will set up an entrepreneurial fund, but you know we have a lot of funds in the system. We need to do an assessment of what those funds have become, whether they've turned out well or not.” 

He furthered that “but as for the fund, it is one that His Excellency is committed to launching."

The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato is scheduled to present the budget and economic policy for the 2025 fiscal year on Tuesday, March 11 in Parliament. Among other things, he is expected to announce transformative policies geared towards steering the country into economic dependence

According to statistics, about 40% of Ghana's adult population engage in entrepreneurial activities, with a significant number being young entrepreneurs. However, one major challenge facing the progress of the entrepreneurial ecosystem is the lack of tailored policies.

It is in line with this that the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs has launched "The Youth and Women Business Policy Environment Reform." This project advocates for reforms that foster innovation, inclusivity, and business growth.

The framework, expected to be ready by May 2025, aims to deliver a data-driven guide to aid the development of Ghana's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The project is spearheaded by the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs and the Investment Climate Reform Facility. With support from the European Union, British Council, GIZ, Expertise France and SNV Netherlands Development Organization.