The fifth season of the Presidential Pitch, a flagship initiative of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), has officially launched, marking a significant step in Ghana’s entrepreneurship journey.
The launch event took place at the Movenpick Hotel on August 23, 2024, where key stakeholders from various sectors gathered to support and promote the growth of innovative start-ups.
Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, Chief Executive Officer of NEIP, highlighted the Presidential Pitch’s role in fostering youth entrepreneurship in Ghana. He emphasized that the program aims to empower young entrepreneurs by helping them turn their ideas into successful ventures.
Since its inception in 2017, the Presidential Pitch has provided business development support to over 250,000 individuals, distributed starter packs to 35,000 businesses, and facilitated funding for 15,000 entrepreneurs. These efforts have led to the creation of approximately 100,000 jobs.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo attended the event and reaffirmed his government’s dedication to building a supportive environment for entrepreneurship, underscoring the commitment to nurturing and advancing the entrepreneurial spirit in Ghana.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed his pride in supporting Ghana’s emerging entrepreneurs and innovators, confidently predicting that they will play a crucial role in the country’s economic growth and development.
In a generous gesture, President Akufo-Addo personally donated GH¢50,000 to Naamgwinaa Samuel, the winner of Presidential Pitch Season 5, on top of the initial cash prize of GH¢250,000.
Since its launch in 2017, the Presidential Pitch has made a significant impact by focusing on innovation, feasibility, scalability, employability, and sustainability. The program has become a key driver of entrepreneurial success in Ghana.
The finalists, chosen through a rigorous selection process, presented their business ideas in diverse fields such as fintech, manufacturing, and agribusiness. Their pitches highlighted the breadth of creativity and potential within the program.
As the finalists prepared to present their ideas, the NEIP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting them, underscoring the importance of fostering long-term achievements in their ventures.
In a touching tribute, President Akufo-Addo renamed the overall prize for the Presidential Pitch in honor of the late Dr. John Kumah, the program’s founding CEO. The newly named Dr. John A. Kumah Prize for Entrepreneurship and Innovation was awarded to Naamgwinaa Samuel, who impressed the judges with his innovative Smart Switches.
