Accra: The Business and Financial Times (B and FT), in partnership with Ecobank Ghana, has introduced the Youth Economic Forum (YEF) aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs and fostering youth-led economic growth. The initiative is designed to provide mentorship, business support, market access, and leadership training, establishing a national platform for dialogue and innovation to enhance youth participation in economic policymaking.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative was launched in Accra, where Dr. Godwin Acquaye, Chief Executive Officer of B and FT, emphasized the publication's commitment to youth as a driving force for sustainable development. Dr. Acquaye stated, "At B and FT, we believe young people must lead Ghana's industrial and economic transformation. YEF is a strategic step in investing in that future."
A significant feature of the forum is the B and FT Entrepreneurship Challenge 2025, an annual competition open to Ghanaian start-ups that have been operating for at least one year. The winners are set to receive prizes valued at GH?50,000, along with tailored mentorship, training, and media exposure. Dr. Acquaye highlighted that the challenge serves as a developmental pathway for youth-led enterprises, focusing on their long-term sustainability and impact.
Strategic partners, including Ecobank Ghana and members of the YEF Advisory Board, will contribute financial support, technical expertise, and mentorship to ensure the program achieves its intended outcomes. Interested applicants can apply at until August 18, 2025. Finalist interviews are scheduled for early September, with winners announced on September 8, 2025. All finalists will receive ongoing business support, investor visibility, and integration into the YEF support ecosystem, which provides continuous growth opportunities.
Through the Youth Economic Forum, B and FT and its partners aim to nurture a generation of innovative, resilient, and economically empowered youth capable of significantly contributing to Ghana's transformation agenda.
