Empowering Ghanaian Youth: USAG Champions Entrepreneurship with Nationwide Tour

The University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) has urged students nationwide to seize the government’s initiatives designed to foster startup growth. Amidst rising unemployment among young people in the country, students and recent graduates have long been advised to embrace entrepreneurial prospects.

The trend of recent graduates facing challenges in securing satisfactory employment opportunities has grown more prominent within the youth demographic of our nation. To address this pressing concern, the government has implemented a range of initiatives focused on ameliorating the unemployment rate among young people.

These measures specifically target the promotion of entrepreneurship as a viable alternative, thereby empowering youth to create their own opportunities and contribute to economic growth. In alignment with this objective, the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) has joined forces with prominent partners to embark on a nationwide tour of some selected universities across the country.

The primary aim of this initiative is to instill a profound sense of entrepreneurship among students, empowering them to pursue economic independence. Collaborating stakeholders encompass key entities such as the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA), the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), among other influential organizations.

Through this concerted effort, students were encouraged to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to personal and national economic growth. Amidst the tour at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the CEO of Ghana Enterprise Agency, Mrs. Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, shared invaluable insights with students.

She underscored the significance of discipline and encouraged them to grasp the available opportunities. Additionally, Mrs. Yankey-Ayeh motivated students to perceive failure as a crucial element of both personal and professional advancement, emphasizing its role in nurturing growth.

“Failing is inevitable, but it’s also a chance to grow. It’s alright to stumble; the key is to learn from it.

Use failure as a guide to shape your next move. Without setbacks, progress is limited.

Embrace failure, for it builds strength and fuels big dreams. Surround yourself with mentors and supporters to navigate the journey,” the CEO of GEA emphasized.

The President of the University Student Association of Ghana (USAG), Patrick Kusi Adu, urged students to seize the opportunities at hand to improve their entrepreneurial abilities. “We have the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), offering the u-starter program for business innovation.

Numerous students and youths have already benefited from this initiative. I encourage youth across tertiary institutions, including senior high schools and those not currently enrolled, to capitalize on this government-backed project. It’s about defining your vision and seizing opportunities,”  stated Patrick Kusi Adu, President of USAG.

According to him, during the University of Cape Coast chapter tour, five students were already promised support through the u-starter program. This opportunity is available, but you need to act, seek information, visit their offices, and enroll yourself to become a beneficiary.

Furthermore, he addressed concerns regarding potential bureaucratic hurdles in accessing these programs, dismissing them as unfounded. He urged students not to be deterred by such rumors and instead encouraged them to fully explore and utilize these initiatives.