Ms. Fynn, Country Head of Mastercard Foundation, has indicated that Young Ghanaian Entrepreneurs require a support system, access to finance, and access to the market to expand operations and for their businesses to thrive.

According to the Country Head of Mastercard Foundation, young Ghanaians are entrepreneurial and innovative, and with support, they could build their own businesses.

Ms Fynn noted that the youth have big ambitions and are willing to put in hard work to create a shared prosperous future for themselves, their peers, and the community. “Everywhere we look, we see youth agency at work and their collective effort is driving transformation in many sectors including agriculture,” she said.

The Country Lead averred that the entrepreneurial dexterity of the youth cut across agriculture, technology, and creative arts.

“Young Ghanaian women and men are innovative. Even in the most challenging of situations, they find ways to thrive. They are building, venturing into new businesses, and driving innovative solutions to address some of the biggest challenges impeding growth in micro, small and medium enterprises.”
Ms. Fynn

Ms. Fynn stated that her outfit is committed to supporting the youth to build their own businesses to address the growing unemployment in the country.

“At the Mastercard Foundation, we remain committed to getting behind the ambitions of young Ghanaians and creating pathways to dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for them.”
Ms. Fynn

Young Africa Works strategy of Mastercard Foundation

Ms Fynn explained that the Young Africa Works strategy of Mastercard Foundation sought to enable access to dignified work opportunities for 3 million young women and men by 2030 by deepening efforts in the agricultural sector and exploring opportunities in emerging sectors of the economy.

“We believe that by doing this, and working alongside our partners, government, the private sector, and young people, we will unlock the full potential of young people to contribute to building back our economy and creating work opportunities for themselves and others.”
Ms. Fynn

Ms Fynn made this known at the Youth Economic Forum 2022 in Accra, under the theme “Youth Voices and Action for Economic Growth, Resilience and Employment, which formed part of the Ghana Economic Forum.

This year’s Ghana Economic Forum is on the theme “Achieving Robust and Resilient Economy through Technology, Finance, Investment, Trade and Entrepreneurship.”

Meanwhile, earlier in a panel discussion on agribusiness, the panelists, the Chief Executive Officer of Oceans Mall Company Limited, Caroline Pomeyie, and the Chief Executive Officer of Maku Food and Company Trading Limited, Caroline Amanor, indicated that the high cost of capital is a challenge to SMEs and Start-Ups in the country. They thus, called for tax incentives and holidays for SMEs and Start-Ups for their businesses to thrive.

The panelist also called for waivers on import duties for SMEs and Start-Ups to support the growth of their businesses.