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Efforts to support young entrepreneurs: Govt launches GH¢1m Presidential Pitch
The Ministry of Business Development yesterday launched this year’s Presidential Pitch aimed at providing startup capital for young entrepreneurs across the country.
The initiative, as part of government’s efforts to curb the high unemployment rate, will see 10 successful applicants pitch their business ideas before a jury in a final competition slated for July 1, 2020 to qualify for financial support.
This year, government has earmarked a GH¢1 million grant for successful applicants to realise their business ideas and improve livelihoods.
The Minister, Dr Mohammed Awal speaking at the launch of the project in Accra yesterday indicated that application processes were opened for candidates from 18 to 35 years.
“There is an eight-day window, which begins today, for applicants to put in their proposals. Applicants can log on to www.mobd.gov.gh to apply or walk to the Ministry to submit their bids.
It has to be just a simple idea, maybe a page or two, but it must be one that is innovative, feasible, scalable and has the potential to create jobs. We expect to receive about 1,000 applications.”
According to Dr Awal, about 460 jobs had been created in the last two editions of the project “and this year, we hope to create about 250 jobs more.”
The Minister submitted that the rationale behind the “Presidential pitch” is to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem where the Ghanaian youth would be able to generate ideas and be supported to achieve them.
He compared the country’s youthful population to that of other nationalities and the burning drive to venture into entrepreneurship in such countries unlike Ghana.
“Elsewhere about 80 per cent of graduates have their business ideas ready before completing school and they have systems to support them but here, only 10 per cent of our graduates want to venture into entrepreneurship; the rest compete for jobs in the public or private sectors which are already choked.”
Dr Awal said, government was poised to change the status quo by “building entrepreneurs out of our young people so that they are interested in owning their businesses instead of being employees.”
He urged young people to take advantage of the initiative and apply, stressing that “this is free, transparent and here for every youth.”
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), Abigail Swad Laryea in a remark indicated that the initiative adopts strict monitoring mechanisms to ensure that business owners use funds for the intended purposes.
“So far, the previous winners are doing well. We require them to give us a report at least every six months to help us monitor progress of their businesses.
Currently our maiden winner has her products on the markets in most of the shopping centres and we are supporting her inaugurate her factory soon. The last winners are almost in the final stages of developing their ideas and we have been with them throughout,” she stated.
Ms Laryea pointed out that applicants who were unable to come out tops in the competition were also assisted to nurture their business ideas “so that they do not lose them.”
She encouraged interested persons who were unschooled to seek assistance from the Ministry to undergo the application processes and possibly qualify for the grand finale.
Source: Ghanaian Times
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Health Minister leads delegation Mimi Darko’s appointment as AMA Director General
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health and Member of Parliament has led a delegation to secure the appointment of Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, as the Director General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) during the ongoing 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.
This prestigious appointment, achieved through a competitive process, marks a proud and historic moment for Ghana and the entire continent.
It highlights Dr. Darko’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to enhancing public health and regulatory systems across Africa.
The Minister expressed his deep appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his strong support and leadership throughout this process.
Mr.Akandoh congratulated Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for their incredibly successful campaign.
The AMA was established by the African Union on November 5, 2021, with the primary objective of improving access to quality, safe, and effective medical products throughout the continent. Its creation aims to facilitate the regulation and oversight of essential medicines at a continental level while promoting collaboration among African countries and regions.
The Agency’s mission is to provide leadership in creating an enabling regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, ensuring that the African population has access to essential medical products and technologies.
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Police arrest five suspects involved in robbery cases in Ashanti Region
The Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region has informed the public about a recent breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in the Denchemuoso District.
Following a series of robbery incidents in the area, on April 22, 2025, PID/Ashanti operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Michael Owusu Ansah, alias Baby Last, aged 32.
The suspect had been on the police wanted list since 2016 in connection with a robbery and the murder of Police Officer G/Cpl Frank Essel of SWAT/Ashanti, which occurred at the Open Space Hotel in Denchemuoso on May 19, 2016.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to engaging in multiple street and residential robberies in Denchemuoso, Atwima-Techiman, Asuoyeboah, and surrounding areas.
He also disclosed that his gang operated with knives, pistols, and pump-action guns.
Further investigations led to the identification and arrest of his accomplices, namely:Emmanuel Owusu, alias Cassidy, Maxwell Gyimah, alias Nana Kwame, Sudais Oxford Ntiamoah, alias The Man Sudais and Rhano Okyere, alias Demon
These individuals were arrested from their hideouts within Atwima-Techiman and Denchemuoso.
However, one suspect, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him and recover the weapons used in the robberies.
All five arrested suspects were arraigned before the Atasomanso Circuit Court on May 13, 2025.
They were remanded into police custody and are scheduled to reappear on June 4, 2025.
