Opplift supports 12 young entrepreneurs with seed funding
TWELVE young Ghanaian entrepreneurs have been selected to receive seed funding, logistical support and mentorship under an initiative by sustainable development organisation Opplift to help them establish and grow viable businesses.
The initiative forms part of Opplift’s efforts to create sustainable economic opportunities for young people through entrepreneurship, skills development, mentorship and practical business support.
The beneficiaries were unveiled at the maiden Opplift Youth Entrepreneurs Summit 2026, held yesterday in Accra on the theme: “Build to Thrive: Equipping Young Entrepreneurs for Success in Ghana.”
The summit brought together business leaders, industry experts, key stakeholders and about 100 young entrepreneurs to discuss practical strategies for starting, building and sustaining businesses in Ghana.
In a welcome address, the founder of Opplift, Mr Kris Asleson, highlighted the potential of young people and the need to provide them with the resources, guidance and mentorship required to transform their ideas into sustainable businesses.
The Team and Country Lead for Opplift, Nana Mensah, underscored the importance of equipping young entrepreneurs with practical skills and opportunities to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
The guest speaker, Mr Ekow Mensah, urged entrepreneurs to be intentional in the use of their time and resources, stressing the need for them to recognise and maximise the value of their skills.
He identified effective time management, purposeful relationships, sales skills and the appropriate use of professionals as critical factors in building sustainable businesses.
The summit also featured a session on “Effective use of social media by startup businesses”, led by marketing consultant Stephen Naasei Boadi.
Mr Boadi explained how start-ups could use social media strategically to increase their visibility, communicate with customers, strengthen engagement and drive business growth.
A panel discussion brought together Fashion Educationist and Talent Manager, Richard Ohene Sika; Founder of Toudeka’s Enterprise, Josephine Toudeka; and Programmes Manager at Opplift, Eugene Wilson Ocran.
Moderated by Valerie Danso, the discussion focused on the panellists’ experiences, the challenges confronting entrepreneurs and practical lessons on moving from establishing a business to building one that survives and grows.
Opplift said the support for the 12 beneficiaries was intended to go beyond financial assistance, with mentorship and logistical support forming part of the package to help them develop their ventures.
The organisation said the summit would become an annual platform for young entrepreneurs to learn, network and access opportunities that could contribute to the growth and sustainability of their businesses.
Through the summit and its Farm in A Barrel (FIAB) programme, Opplift seeks to complement broader efforts to promote job creation, vocational and apprenticeship opportunities and inclusive economic participation.
Founded in 2011 by Mr Asleson, Opplift is a non-profit organisation focused on empowering entrepreneurs in developing communities.
Its programmes provide training, workshops, mentorship and seed grants aimed at helping hardworking people move out of poverty by transforming business ideas into viable ventures.
BY JEMIMA ESINAM KUATSINU
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