UEW Innovation Hub Empowers Youth with Start-Up Kits to Foster Entrepreneurship in Effutu

The start-up kits, comprising weighing scales, aprons, electric juicers, headgear, bottles and gloves were distributed to participants who completed training in fruit juice production and entrepreneurship. The intervention forms part of a broader initiative to equip young people with practical skills, business acumen and resources to transition from training to enterprise creation.

Speaking on behalf of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sakina Acquah urged beneficiaries to take the opportunity seriously and translate the training and support into viable businesses. She drew inspiration from a similar Mastercard Foundation-supported initiative involving students from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) whose innovation the Dext Science Kit has since gained national recognition and adoption. She emphasised that small beginnings when pursued with commitment and discipline can evolve into large-scale enterprises with far-reaching impact.

Prof. Richard Oduro, the Dean of the School of Business, reiterated the University’s commitment to nurturing job creators rather than job seekers. He challenged beneficiaries to put the start-up kits to productive use, noting that the direct provision of equipment eliminates the risk of misallocation of funds and accelerates business start-up. He encouraged participants to begin modestly, remain consistent and reinvest profits to grow their enterprises into sustainable ventures capable of employing others within their communities.

Highlighting the economic potential of the initiative, Prof. Oduro noted that if each of the 42 beneficiaries employs at least one additional person, the project could generate significant direct and indirect employment opportunities in the Effutu Municipality. He further indicated that the University through the Innovation Hub will conduct follow-up visits to assess the impact of the intervention and provide ongoing support to the businesses.  

Rev. Atta Mensah, the Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, commended the Government of Ghana and the Mastercard Foundation for sustaining and expanding youth-focused empowerment programmes. He urged beneficiaries to view the start-up kits not as domestic tools but as commercial assets. He stressed the importance of customer relations, product quality and innovation in building successful enterprises. He further encouraged participants to adopt a “train-the-trainer” approach by sharing knowledge and skills with other unemployed youth in the community to multiply the programme’s impact.

Earlier, facilitators and coordinators of the project recounted the rigorous selection and training process which included both theoretical and practical components such as the “Start Your Business” (SYB) module and hands-on skills development in juice production and fish processing. They expressed confidence that the provision of start-up kits would enable beneficiaries to apply their knowledge and begin generating income.

Trainer Mrs. Elizabeth Yeboah Quarshie encouraged participants to remain focused and resilient, noting that the scale of their initial operations should not limit their ambitions. She emphasised that with determination and prudent management, even small enterprises can grow into thriving businesses that contribute meaningfully to local economic development.

The initiative underscores UEW’s strategic commitment to innovation, skills development and community engagement. The University continues to play a pivotal role in empowering young people to create sustainable livelihoods and contribute to national development by fostering entrepreneurship through practical training and resource support.

The Biz Box Project, implemented in partnership with the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and supported by the Mastercard Foundation, is expected to expand further, offering more opportunities for youth empowerment and enterprise development in the municipality and beyond.