By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY
The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) in partnership with Takoradi Technical University (TTU) Centre for Business Development and Entrepreneurship (CBDE) has launched the Junior Chamber in Takoradi.
The initiative will offer students the space, guidance and support they need to turn their ideas into thriving businesses.
In addition, it will equip them with entrepreneurship skills, resources and mentorship needed to drive Ghana’s economic growth.
Held on the theme ‘Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs’, it highlighted the youth’s critical role in shaping the country’s business landscape.
It also coincided with the two institutions signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining their respective roles and responsibilities.
Stephane Abbas Miezan, President-GNCCI, noted: “We now live in a world where traditional career paths are no longer the only option for success. Entrepreneurship offers a way forward, not only to solve the challenges of unemployment but also drive economic growth, innovation and social change”.
He pointed out that tertiary institutions produce highly knowledgeable graduates yet many struggle to transition into meaningful employment due to lack of practical business skills, mentorship and access to finance among others.
The Junior Chamber, he explained, aims to tackle unemployment by collaborating with industries to organise forums where students can showcase their business ideas.
“This initiative,” he said, “will be a hub for innovation, creativity and collaboration, where young entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs can access the mentorship, training and funding necessary to turn their dreams into reality.”
Mr. Miezan urged the students to embrace challenges, learn from them and use them to fuel their success. “The future is yours to create and I have no doubt that with the right support, determination and mindset, you will achieve great things.
“By empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, we are investing in the future of Ghana; one that is driven by innovation, creativity and economic growth,” he reiterated.
Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, Vice Chancellor-TTU, re-echoed the Junior Chamber’s role in curbing unemployment by transforming student innovations into commercial ventures.
“The youth play an indispensable role in nations’ socio-economic development and their potential must not be overlooked.”
However, he said youth unemployment has been on the rise partly due to traditional courses offered by many tertiary institutions, which often lack direct linkages to the world of work.
To mitigate this challenge, he said, tertiary institutions in Ghana, including TTU, have incorporated entrepreneurship education into their curricula.
According to him, the GNCCI Junior Chamber and TTU Incubator are key milestones in this journey – providing students with practical avenues to translate their innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises.
While expressing gratitude to GNCCI, he encouraged students to embrace the initiative, as it will help restructure the education system.
“As we take this bold and transformative step toward a future of innovation and growth, I encourage our students, faculty and industry partners to fully embrace the vast opportunities this initiative presents. This is a moment to foster collaboration, creativity and forward-thinking solutions that will redefine our industries and educational landscape,” he added.
Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education. in an address read for him emphasised government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship among young people.
The initiative, he said, aligns with government’s broader strategy to promote Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), digital skills training and entrepreneurship as key drivers of employment and economic resilience.
He called on private sector players, development partners and government agencies to collaborate in creating an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs.
Joseph Oti-Asirifi, Director-Centre for Business Development and Entrepreneurship, explained that the centre aims to offer a platform for business networking, ideation and support to enhance entrepreneurial development among students.
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of some organisations also shared their experience on how they started their businesses, the challenges they encountered and how they have been able to stay focused and maintain them along with other branches.
They encouraged students to stay focused, build honesty, create strong networks and take advantage of internships and opportunities that are available to improve their lives.
