Stories

Africa Skills Hub Foundation (ASH) is a Ghana-based business development service provider dedicated to creating economic and skill-based opportunities for Africa’s youth, women, and SMEs. Since its establishment in 2016, ASH has empowered young graduates with essential skills and job opportunities, supported SMEs in entrepreneurship, agribusiness, digital transformation, and climate-smart practices, and facilitated access to capital and markets for women-led businesses. Committed to driving sustainable development, ASH equips women and youth with the tools to become catalysts for change in their communities. Beyond training, ASH offers extensive aftercare services, including regulatory support, IT solutions, financial guidance, legal assistance, market access, and intellectual property services. Additionally, ASH provides a dedicated fund focused on agriculture, green initiatives, and digital innovation, specifically supporting women and youth-led enterprises. Through strategic partnerships with Pan-African multilateral institutions, private sector leaders, government youth agencies, universities, development partners, and youth-focused organizations, ASH continues to co-create impactful programs that foster growth and innovation across Africa. We look forward to a meaningful collaboration with Africa Skills Hub Foundation in advancing economic empowerment and sustainable development across the continent. credit – amchamghana.org

The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) has commenced training of some 24,000 youth under the “Youth in Innovative Agriculture Programme” under the government’s new Ghana Cares Obaatan Pa programme. The training started on 9th May 2022, and will end on 9th June 2022. All 24,000 applicants have so far been posted to private business incubation hubs and consultants who will take beneficiaries through the training, which will be done in batches. The programme enlisted young people between the ages of 18 and 40 who are already into agriculture to be trained and given funding to expand their businesses. Shortlisted applicants will receive funding and technical services support after they have gone through training and mentoring. The Ghana CARES (Obaatanpa) programme is an audacious GH¢100 billion post-COVID programme from the government being implemented by the Ministry of Finance to stabilise, revitalise and transform Ghana’s economy to create jobs and prosperity for Ghanaians over a three-year period. The areas covered under this phase of the Youth in Innovative Agriculture Programme include the following Agric Business sectors: Vegetable Farming Maize Farming Poultry/Livestock Yam/cassava Agro Processing This programme is part of government’s efforts toward supporting commercial farming and attracting educated youth into agriculture to help ensure food security and to help close our food import substitution gap.

AgriFood Enterprise Program Congratulations to Our Second Cohort! Last Thursday, we celebrated the graduation of 30 agripreneurs from the second cohort of our Agrifood Enterprise Program—driving a new era of innovation in Ghana’s agribusiness sector.   Standout Stories: • Carl Appiah-Nyamekye is commercialising Dawadawa powder, a protein-packed spice made from fermented African locust beans, to bring this nutrient-dense product to wider markets. • Anthoniatte Tampuli developed a rice flour alternative for Fufu, offering a healthier, gluten-free twist on the traditional cassava or yam-based staple.   What’s Next? With mentorship from Africa Skills Hub Aftercare, these change-makers will receive tailored support, including business coaching, market access opportunities, and funding guidance. These efforts aim to scale their ventures, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth in their communities.   Program Impact: The AgriFood Enterprise Program has empowered participants to achieve remarkable milestones: • 50 graduates, each building a network of 49 new markets and connections. • Beneficiaries made over 10,000 sales through exhibitions, partners, and industry experts. • The program birthed 15+ new products and ideas. • $7,000 in grants and loans accessed by over five beneficiaries. • The training produced 20 social media content ideas and 15 new social media accounts.   This program continues to foster innovation, tackle challenges in agribusiness, and drive economic growth across Ghana. Thank you to our trainers, partners, and supporters for making this milestone possible.