Young Entrepreneurs call for increased Adwumawura funding, conversion of NEIP to National Youth Enterprise Agency

Young entrepreneurs from across the Greater Accra Region have called for increased funding for the government's Adwumawura programme and the immediate transformation of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) into a fully fledged Youth Entrepreneurship Development Agency.

The calls were made during a national dialogue held on June 4, 2026, and organised by the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs (GCYE) in collaboration with the Ghana Youth Federation and Stanbic Incubator.

The forum brought together young business owners to evaluate the implementation of the first cohort of the Adwumawura programme and assess whether public resources allocated to youth entrepreneurship initiatives are achieving their intended objectives.

Participants were encouraged to openly discuss the programme's successes, shortcomings, and areas requiring improvement before its expansion to a wider audience.

Organisers described the engagement as a private sector-led initiative and the first in a series of planned dialogues aimed at broadening discussions on youth entrepreneurship across the country.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber noted that young entrepreneurs should not only be seen as beneficiaries of government programmes but also as stakeholders with a legitimate interest in how public funds are utilised.

He said the platform was intended to promote constructive, non-partisan engagement on issues affecting youth enterprise development.

A key concern raised by participants was the need for increased financial support for youth entrepreneurship programmes. They argued that demand for assistance far exceeds the current allocation and urged government to expand funding to accommodate more qualified applicants.

The entrepreneurs also called for greater transparency in the implementation of the programme, including the publication of beneficiary lists to enhance public confidence and accountability.

Participants further highlighted the need for intensified public education and awareness campaigns, noting that many eligible young people, particularly outside major urban centres, remain unaware of the programme and its application processes.

They also stressed the importance of ensuring that the programme remains non-partisan and accessible to all qualified applicants, regardless of political affiliation.

One of the major recommendations from the dialogue was the conversion of NEIP into a statutory Youth Entrepreneurship Development Agency. Participants argued that establishing a permanent institution with a clear mandate would provide continuity and stability for youth entrepreneurship initiatives beyond electoral cycles.

The main outcome of the engagement is expected to be a position paper capturing the views and recommendations of participants. The Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs said the document would be submitted to President John Dramani Mahama, copied to the Speaker of Parliament and the Minister for Youth, and made available to the public.

The event attracted young entrepreneurs from various sectors, development partners and members of the media.

The Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs is a private sector organisation that advocates for the interests of young entrepreneurs through policy engagement, partnerships and capacity-building initiatives.

The Adwumawura programme is a government-led youth employment and entrepreneurship initiative being implemented through the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP).