News
Government urged to create a supportive environment for local businesses
Mr Jeroen Verheul
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, Mr Jeroen Verheul has tasked government to create a supportive environment for local businesses to thrive.
Speaking at the official closing ceremony of the SNV GrEEn Project in Accra, the diplomat said the reduction of inflation and interest rate must be tackled by the government to achieve this goal.
The SNV GrEEn Project is a four-year action plan implemented in the Ashanti and Western regions under the anchor of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development.
The project was funded by the European Union in Ghana and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands.
Juxtaposing the results of the GrEEn Project, Mr Jeroen Verheul cited that such achievement “is a drop in the ocean” because Ghana would need 500, 000 jobs annually to help the population overcome the high rate of unemployment.
“We need 500, 000 jobs per year and SNV has produced 6, 000 jobs over four years, however we need to scale up through the support of the environment which is a key element for entrepreneurs to flourish,” he stated.
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a not-for-profit international development organisation creating a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them raise incomes and access basic services.
Since its commissioning in 2019, the Project aimed to enhance employability and entrepreneurship opportunities within Ghana’s green economy, contributing to the development of a climate-resilient local economy.
The primary objective of the Project was to address the root causes of irregular migration amongst Ghanaians, by promoting green and climate-resilient local economic development.
This initiative provided affordable financing aid to SMEs and micro businesses, especially in the sustainable and circular economy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of Asaasepa Naturals, Mrs Matilda Stemn, noted that the project has aided her set up a factory and purchase some equipment to upscale her business.
However, Mrs Stemn, also a beneficiary of the Project, mentioned that accessing loans was a challenge for SMEs on increasing productivity despite the fact that they have the raw materials and machineries at their disposal.
Present at the ceremony were the Country Director of SNV Ghana, Mrs Barbara Nkoala amongst other dignitaries.
SNV specialises in three sectors: agri-food, energy and water systems and is present in over 25 countries.
By Yunusah Essandoh
South Africa’s Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia, has strongly
condemned the recent xenophobic acts of violence and intimidation directed at Ghanaians and other foreign nationals within the Republic of South Africa.
“These actions are not only unlawful, but they stand in direct opposition to the values of dignity, equality, and human rights upon which our democracy is founded. South Africa is a constitutional state governed by the rule of law. No individual or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands, irrespective of grievances or frustrations,” he noted.
The Ministry of Police advised the members of the public that acts of xenophobia, violence, looting, or intimidation will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
According to South African Police Service (SAPS) has.been instructed to act decisively and without hesitation in addressing these incidents.
All those found to be participating in, inciting, or supporting such criminal conduct will be identified, apprehended, and brought before the courts.
The Ministry of Police called on all communities to remain calm and to reject any attempts to sow division and hatred among residents of our country.
The Ministry further urged community leaders, civil society organisations, and all stakeholders to work together with law enforcement agencies to prevent further violence and to promote dialogue and understanding.
The Government of Ghana, through the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), has commenced the disbursement of grants to beneficiaries ?(2025 cohort) under The Adwumawura Programme, an ambitious national initiative designed to support youth entrepreneurship, stimulate business growth, and drive job creation.
Launched to empower young Ghanaians with the entrepreneurial skills and resources needed to build decent and sustainable businesses.
The Adwumawura Programme, has to date, successfully trained and mentored 10,887 beneficiaries across the country.
These beneficiaries underwent 5 weeks intensive entrepreneurial training, followed by 6 months structured post-training mentorship to strengthen their business models and operational capacity.
As part of the transition from training to funding, a rigorous and transparent selection process was implemented to identify high-potential businesses for grant support.
A Grant Management Committee was duly inaugurated to oversee this process and ensure fairness, accountability, and merit-based selection.
The Committee is composed of representatives from academia, government institutions, financial agencies, development partners, and the private sector, ensuring a balanced and credible oversight structure.
Following the training phase, beneficiaries were required to submit detailed business plans outlining their proposed businesses and Innovations. These submissions underwent an initial one-week screening process, during which applications were assessed based on key criteria, including:Scalability – the potential for business growth and expansion, Job creation potential – the ability to create at least two decent employment opportunities, Sustainability – long-term viability of the business model Feasibility – practicality and readiness for implementation
Shortlisted applicants proceeded to a nationwide pitching phase, where they presented their business ideas before the Grant Management Committee. This stage provided an opportunity for further evaluation and validation of proposals, culminating in comprehensive assessment reports to guide final selection decisions.
Following this rigorous process, 3212 successful beneficiaries have been selected across all regions of the country
The commencement of grant disbursement marks a significant milestone in The Adwumawura Programme’s implementation, reinforcing Government’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship, reducing youth unemployment, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
According to NEIP remains dedicated to providing continuous support to beneficiaries through post-disbursement monitoring and business advisory services to ensure the sustainability and success of funded enterprises.
Young entrepreneaurs who could not make it in the year 2025. The 2026 cohort application portal will soon be opened.
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