VC Highlights Role of Higher Education in Driving Youth Innovation at ‘Adwumawura’ Onboarding
In her welcome remarks at the official onboarding and matriculation ceremony of Government’s ‘Adwumawura’ Programme held at the University of Ghana, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, described the initiative as a “bold step in advancing youth development, innovation and entrepreneurship in our country.”
She noted that the programme aligns perfectly with the University’s strategic priorities of providing a transformative student experience and conducting impactful research that empowers young people to become not only job seekers but also job creators.
Highlighting the University’s own initiatives in this regard, the Vice-Chancellor referenced the Student Venture Support Programme (SVSP), which provides mentorship, seed funding, incubation support and industry linkages to student entrepreneurs. She reiterated the importance of collaboration between higher education, government and industry in co-creating opportunities for sustainable national development.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Prof. Amfo encouraged them to embrace the journey ahead with diligence, creativity, and integrity, citing past SVSP alumni who have successfully built startups, scaled innovative ideas, and created jobs for their peers. She assured that the University would continue to provide the intellectual environment, research expertise, and collaborative platforms needed to enable the programme to thrive.
Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, in her remarks, commended the University and other partners for their support in nurturing the potential of participants. She emphasised that the programme reflects government’s commitment to investing in young people, adding that “the programme is more than funding, it is about creating an ecosystem that gives entrepreneurs the tools they need to build and thrive.”
Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Lawyer George Opare-Addo, discussed the scope of the ‘Adwumawura’ Programme and outlined the government’s vision to use it as a catalyst for large-scale youth employment, innovation, and sustainable development.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would empower young people across the country and urged beneficiaries to approach the opportunity with discipline, creativity, and accountability in their entrepreneurial journey.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr. Eric Adjei, noted that university innovation hubs will play a key role in delivering comprehensive entrepreneurship training for beneficiaries. “The success of this programme hinges strongly on our innovation hubs,” he added.
The ‘Adwumawura’ Programme, a nationwide initiative, is designed to advance youth development, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The event also featured the unveiling of an official training manual for the programme, as well as a tour of UG’s Innovation Hub at the University of Ghana Business School.
Also present at the event were ministers of state, government officials, beneficiaries, and university representatives.
