Madam Thywill Kpe, the Volta Regional Director at the Department of Gender, has encouraged youths to “think big, dream big, and put them into action,” as it will make them limitless. Madam Thywill was speaking to some youths in the Volta Region in November 2024, at the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme.
Madam Kpe, in her speech, entreated the youths to dream without limits as wide as the oceans. “The difference between you and Steve Jobs is your mind,” she said, urging the youth to embrace failure as part of the innovation process. “Innovation is about dreaming big and thinking about new things that solve real-world problems, there is no limit to what you can achieve if you dare to think and act boldly,” she continued, encouraging them that their ideas have the power to change the world.
The YAI Programme, which is being funded by the MasterCard Foundation, is implemented in Ghana by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with a focus on fostering youth-led innovation in Ghana.
As the Responsible Partner in the Volta Region, International Needs Ghana targeted 200 young innovators between the ages of 18 and 35 years, with 70% women and 30% men with representations from Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
The National Youth Policy has indicated that youths between the ages of 15 to 35 constitute 38% of Ghana’s population. Despite their large numbers, many of these young people struggle to find employment or gain access to educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. Women and persons with disabilities face even greater barriers to economic inclusion.
Cynthia Arday, Senior Programme Officer at International Needs Ghana, explained that the program aims to generate, select, and scale innovative solutions that lead to job creation and promote economic growth, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 8. This goal aims to promote inclusive employment, sustainable economic growth, and decent work for all.
“We are identifying young innovators who can address challenges in sectors like technology, agriculture, hospitality, education, and more. The YAI Programme supports these young people by providing training, mentorship, and funding to help scale their ideas into viable businesses,” said Arday.
“We are addressing the specific challenges that youth, especially young women and persons with disabilities, face in realizing their entrepreneurial dreams,” Arday emphasized. The initiative seeks to empower these young people by providing the resources and platforms they need to scale their ideas and create jobs.
The journey of the YAI Programme began in August 2024, with stakeholder meetings and the identification of “scouts” who were trained to seek out young innovators in the region. The program, which has now completed its identification phase, will soon move into the next stages of training and mentorship. The YAI has so far identified 200 young innovators in different districts of the Volta Region and has seen a wide range of innovative ideas, according to Cynthia Arday.
The event also had some of the innovator’s exhibit and pitch their ideas before a panel made up of some Volta regional directors of key institutions like the National Youth Authority, The Department of Gender, The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Volta Star Radio, the Department of Social Welfare and the Fisheries Commission. Other panelists include the Assistant Registrar for the Adidome Farm Institute and the President of the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organization (WODAO).
One of the innovators who exhibited her products at the event, Linda Klertz, a seamstress from Akatsi, has taken a unique approach to tackling waste management and climate change by creating raincoats and dresses from pure water plastic waste. “When you go to town, you see pure water rubbers everywhere,” Linda said. “I decided to repurpose them into raincoats, which are not only eco-friendly but also affordable for the people in my community.”
Another inspiring innovator is Jessica Ahorli, a student at the University of Education Winneba from the Akatsi South district of the Volta Region, who uses plastic waste to create beautiful beads and bags. “My community faces severe flooding, and there is a lot of environmental pollution,” she explained. “I thought of turning plastic waste into something useful and beautiful by making beads and bags. This way, I am addressing both pollution and the need for affordable accessories.”
Madam Kpe emphasized that action is the key to turning dreams into reality, reminding the youth that they have to take the step, no matter how small, and keep moving forward. “Innovation is about creating something new and unique that no one else has thought of.”
Cynthia Arday pointed out that many young Ghanaians struggle to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses due to limited access to funding and resources. “Many young people have the ideas but lack the support to bring them to life. The YAI Programme is working to bridge this gap by providing funding and mentorship to help these innovators grow their businesses.
“We are here to support you,” said Arday, speaking directly to the innovators in the room. “The road may be long, but if you persist and continue to believe in your ideas, the rewards will come.”
The next phase of the YAI Programme will focus on providing further training and assessing the viability of the business ideas presented by the young innovators. Those who pass the evaluations will be invited to the next stage of the program, where they will receive the resources necessary to scale their solutions and create job opportunities.
As Madam Kpe concluded her speech, she reminded the youth: “Think big, dream big, and put them into action. You are limitless.” affirming that the future of Ghana’s youth depends on their ability to innovate, take risks and pursue their dreams with passion and determination.
By Desmond Tinana
