The National Director of Compassion International Ghana (CIGH), Mr. Kobina Yeboah Okyere, has underscored the urgent need to create an enabling environment for young people to transform their ideas, passions, and dreams into impactful and sustainable ventures.
Speaking at the climax of The Business Challenge, Mr. Okyere highlighted the growing mismatch between the demand for formal employment and the limited opportunities available, noting that while the job market continues to evolve, young people remain full of creativity, resilience, and ambition.
“What they need is an enabling environment to transform their ideas into solutions, their passions into enterprises, and their dreams into sustainable ventures,” he stated.
He described The Business Challenge as more than just a competition — calling it a launchpad for young innovators and disruptors, and a movement to equip youth with the skills, resources, and vision to build sustainable businesses, solve pressing societal challenges, and contribute to national development.
“We are gathered not just to celebrate innovation, but to ignite a movement — one that equips young minds to become the architects of a prosperous future,” he added.
Empowering the next generation
In partnership with LeadAfrique International, Compassion International Ghana organized The Business Challenge to support entrepreneurship and help bridge the youth unemployment gap. The initiative provides young people with training and the opportunity to pitch business ideas for funding and mentorship.
Preparations for the challenge began in October 2024, with 50 participants undergoing rigorous virtual training and capacity-building tasks. From this group, 28 finalists were selected to compete for the top prizes.
Winners of the 2025 Business Challenge include Innocent Kofi Tsamenya, founder of Best Rice Farms, who emerged as the overall winner, receiving GH¢16,000; Mark Kwetei Affum, founder of Optimal Waste Management, placed second with GH¢14,000; whiles Christabel Naa Komley Cofie, founder of Crystal Braids Haven, placed third with GH¢12,000.
The top 10 participants will receive three additional months of training and be paired with mentors to guide them through their entrepreneurial journey.
Mr. Okyere encouraged all participants to look beyond the prizes and focus on the broader impact of their ideas. “Think beyond today. Think beyond the prize. Consider the lives you can touch, the industries you can disrupt, and the legacy you can create. You can achieve so much more—if you are committed to investing the time and effort,” he urged.
For nearly 20 years, Compassion International Ghana (CIGH) has remained dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for children and families across the country.
Through strategic partnerships with local churches, CIGH provides education, healthcare, skills training, and spiritual support, equipping children to grow into healthy, confident, and empowered individuals ready to drive positive change in their communities.
Through its programs, thousands of children have gained the tools and opportunities to build a brighter future. Today, CIGH supports nearly 100,000 children and youth across 12 of Ghana’s 16 regions, further solidifying its mission to create a lasting and meaningful impact.
