President John Mahama will today, April 28, launch the government’s flagship youth employment initiative, the Adwumawura Programme, at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi.
The initiative marks a bold move to address rising youth unemployment and spark entrepreneurial energy among Ghana’s young population.
Designed to nurture and support start-ups, the Adwumawura Programme aims to create, monitor, and mentor at least 10,000 businesses each year, with a particular focus on empowering young Ghanaians. It will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment through the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP).
The programme targets citizens aged between 18 and 35, equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to start, build, and sustain their own businesses, providing a critical pathway to economic independence for many.
Adwumawura stands as a key component of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2024 manifesto, underscoring the party’s broader goal of creating 250,000 jobs annually through various initiatives, including the flagship “Edwuma Pa” programme.
By prioritizing entrepreneurship, skills development, and digital innovation, Mahama’s government seeks to position the youth at the forefront of Ghana’s economic transformation.
In support of this vision, the 2025 Budget, presented by Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson in March, earmarked GH₵100 million to kickstart Adwumawura. The funding will facilitate skills training, mentorship, access to start-up capital, and equipment provision, creating an environment where new businesses can not just survive but thrive.
The government will also roll out the National Apprenticeship Programme, offering free technical and vocational training, certification, and post-training support to new graduates.
This twin-track approach, combining entrepreneurial support with vocational skills development, is aimed at providing a comprehensive solution to youth unemployment.
To further encourage start-ups, new businesses will also benefit from a two-year exemption from corporate and personal income taxes, easing the financial burden during their formative years.
In a video message released on Sunday, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment George Opare Addo reaffirmed the government’s commitment, saying, “Ahead of the 2024 elections, we pledged to create decent and sustainable jobs for young people. Today, we are fulfilling that promise with decisive action.”
