The Vice President, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has officially launched the Students Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (SEED) Programme at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, in a move aimed at equipping students with entrepreneurial skills to address youth unemployment in Ghana.
Speaking at the launch, the Vice President said the SEED initiative forms part of government’s broader strategy to empower young people and reduce the growing rate of unemployment among the youth. She noted that the programme reflects the commitment of President John Dramani Mahama to create sustainable opportunities for the country’s young population.
According to her, SEED is designed to nurture a new generation of student entrepreneurs by supporting them to transform innovative ideas into viable and sustainable businesses.
The Vice President explained that the programme builds on the success of the Adwumawura Programme, which recorded a high number of applications when it was introduced, an indication of the readiness of Ghanaian youth to innovate and take risks when given the right support.
“SEED provides a structured platform for students to develop their ideas into enterprises that can contribute meaningfully to national development,” she stated.
The initiative is being implemented by the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Eric Adjei, in partnership with the National Union of Ghana Students.
She emphasised that the collaboration between government agencies and student bodies demonstrates a strong commitment to youth empowerment and innovation across tertiary institutions.
The Vice President commended the Ministry of Education, the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment, and the leadership of NEIP for their dedication and efforts in bringing the programme to fruition.
She also acknowledged the role of various innovation hubs that will spearhead the implementation of SEED across universities and other tertiary institutions nationwide.
The first cohort of participants was congratulated for their selection, with a call on them to take full advantage of the opportunity to develop impactful businesses.
“You have been given a platform to shape your future. Seize it and contribute meaningfully to the development of our country,” she urged.
The SEED Programme is expected to play a critical role in fostering entrepreneurship among students, promoting innovation, and supporting Ghana’s long-term economic growth agenda.
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