Accra, June 9, GNA-Young entrepreneurs across the country have received awards for their remarkable achievements in displaying innovative skills and potential under the Prince’s Trust International (PTI) Programme, a UK Charity organisation.
Four students at the His Majesty Senior High School, Dansoman Sahara in Accra, won the Regional Winners for Africa of the Prince’s Trust Group Sustainability Award.
The young innovators – Prince Amofa Mingle, Gifty Opuni, Jessica Sarpong and Christabel Ayitey, participated in the first Enterprise Challenge programme in Ghana and then developed business ideas for transforming coconut husks into jewellery and gifts.
Other young innovators were honoured with inspirational awards under the “Get Into,” “Vibe Check,” Skills for School YP and Teacher recognition programmes, with funding from Fidelity Bank and Bank of America.
The awardees were presented with certificates by Madam Harriet Thompson, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Will Straw, the Chief Executive of PTIl and Mr Edward Effah, the Chair of Fidelity Bank.
Madam Thompson, speaking at the launch of PTI works in Ghana, commended the innovators for their inspirational achievements in building a brighter career path for development.
Organisations like PTI, she stated, had a key role in supporting young people through education, employment, and enterprise programmes to build their future potential.
She said more than half of Ghana’s population was under 25, stressing that empowering young people, especially girls, could help build a more equitable community and society.
“The determination and energy of the young people today is an inspiration to us all. The UK and Ghana are achieving a huge amount together, supporting young people in employment or enterprise, and I am eager to continue this work.
“I am delighted that organisations like PTI and their local partners like Junior Achievement, Youth Opportunity and Transformation Africa, and Environment 360, are giving these opportunities to young people, especially in developing sectors such as the green economy,” she said.
Mr Straw said the Enterprise Challenge programme taught key entrepreneurial skills through a business simulation game, mentorship, and the pitching of business ideas in teams, adding “it has been fantastic to see the development of this programme in Ghana, along with skills for school, “Vibe Check” and “Get Into” programme.
The awardees expressed joy for the achievement and the need to be empowered to learn soft skills and contribute to turning waste into resources – recycling car tyres into furniture.
The PTI, founded by the Prince of Wales, aims to tackle the global crisis in youth unemployment by developing programmes to build the future of the youth.
The Trust started piloting its programmes in Ghana in 2019 and has since supported over 1,500 young people.
GNA