DONE BY US, a management consultancy and investment firm has launched the Africa Street MBA Accelerator Programme to empower young entrepreneurs in Ghana and Africa to become global giants.
The Programme which was launched yesterday, January 25, 2023 seeks to provide an integrated, regional support for startups and small businesses in the country.
It aims to assist marginalized groups, such as women, individuals from impoverished backgrounds, and those with minimal education, who have unique business concepts or already established businesses.
Mr. King Awudu Wellington, founder of DONE BY US in his address during the launch said the programme promises to offer an opportunity for disadvantaged youth from poor backgrounds and who have limited education, but with innovative ideas and existing businesses, to gain access to a top-notch business development program.
“Most often, a young lady from the street of Tatale Sanguli or a young gentlemen from the street of Awutu/Senya Breku does not get the opportunity to benefit from business development programmes and build world-class businesses.
“It is for this reason that the Africa Street MBA has been developed to impact young people with world-class business knowledge based on top MBA curriculum and entrepreneurial course content.”
King Wellington
Also in his address during the launch, Mr. Wellington mentioned that the Africa Street MBA Accelerator would decrease the high startup failure rate in the country, and ultimately the African continent. Additionally, it was created to close the gap in business knowledge.
“We are taking business knowledge from the formal sector into the informal sector; from the corporate world into the street. So many young entrepreneurs in Ghana and Africa would be empowered to become global giants.”
King Wellington
Swift economic progress hinges on private sector development
The guest speaker for the occasion, Mrs. Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) in a speech delivered on her behalf stated that, to attain swift economic progress, the private sector should be strengthened rather than excluded, to aid economic growth and advancement.
Mrs. Yankey-Ayeh further stated that one of the major advantages that countries gain from a thriving Micro, Small and Medium sector is a significant decrease in youth unemployment.
“If our Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) become more robust, they will contribute more to job creation and poverty reduction, and this will contribute extensively to the enhancement of the government revenue generation stream.
“MSMEs play an essential role in the improvement of income of households through job creation, industrial development, and rural development.”
Mrs. Yankey-Ayeh
The MSME sector, Mrs. Yankey- Ayeh stated, supplies over 85% of manufacturing jobs.
The sector according to her also ensures that with the backing of the government and other partners, GEA continues to enhance MSMEs and guarantees that they have better access to credit to increase their operations and grow to significantly contribute to economic growth.
Also present during the ceremony was Nii Ankonu Annorbah- Sarpei, Programmes Manager for KGL Foundation.
The Programmes Manager of KGL Foundation reiterated the foundation’s dedication to the socio-economic development of young people and Ghanaians as a whole.
Continuing, he said his company, KGL Foundation had faith in youth development and empowerment which he believes are crucial for achieving national, sustainable and personal advancement.
Mr. Annorbah-Sarpei, in his concluding remarks expressed confidence that the partnership between KGL Foundation and DONE BY US would have a positive impact on the lives of young individuals.
This impact, he said will particularly be on women and individuals with limited education from disadvantaged backgrounds, by providing employment opportunities and support systems for innovation and new businesses.
