Through the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, the government has started releasing grant funds to 3,212 beneficiaries under the 2025 cohort of the Adwumawura Programme.
The programme is intended to support young entrepreneurs, drive business expansion, and promote job creation across the country.
This rollout represents a key step in executing the initiative, which focuses on building sustainable enterprises led by the youth.
Introduced as a flagship intervention, the Adwumawura Programme aims to provide young Ghanaians with hands-on entrepreneurial training and the resources required to establish viable ventures.
To date, a total of 10,887 participants have completed training nationwide.
Beneficiaries took part in a five-week intensive training programme, followed by six months of structured mentorship designed to refine business strategies, strengthen operations, and improve long-term sustainability.
Selection process
To guarantee fairness and merit-based allocation of funds, a strict evaluation system was put in place, including the formation of a Grant Management Committee to supervise the process.
The committee brought together representatives from academia, public institutions, financial bodies, development partners, and the private sector, ensuring balanced and credible oversight.
After completing training and mentorship, participants were required to submit comprehensive business proposals detailing their ideas and innovations.
These proposals went through an initial screening phase lasting one week, where they were assessed based on factors such as scalability, job creation potential, sustainability, and feasibility.
Applicants were expected to show clear potential to expand their businesses, generate at least two decent jobs, sustain operations over time, and demonstrate readiness for execution.
Shortlisting and final selection
Candidates who met the criteria advanced to a nationwide pitching stage, where they presented their business concepts before the Grant Management Committee.
This phase allowed for deeper scrutiny and validation of each proposal.
Following detailed evaluations, assessment reports were compiled to guide the final selection of grant recipients.
Out of all applicants, 3,212 entrepreneurs from across the country were ultimately chosen to receive financial support.
The disbursement of funds is expected to strengthen these businesses, create employment opportunities, and contribute to local economic growth.
The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme described the milestone as evidence of the government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment and promoting inclusive economic development.
It also assured beneficiaries of ongoing monitoring and advisory support after funding to help ensure the success and sustainability of their enterprises.
Applicants who were unsuccessful in the 2025 cohort have been encouraged to remain optimistic, with the next application window for the 2026 cohort expected to open soon.