The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, GNCCI, in collaboration with Takoradi Technical University’s Centre for Business Development and Entrepreneurship, CBDE, has officially launched its maiden Junior Chamber, an initiative aimed at equipping young entrepreneurs with entrepreneurship skills, resources and mentorship needed to hep drive Ghana’s economic growth.

The launch event, held under the theme “Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs,” highlighted the critical role of youth in shaping the country’s business landscape.

Speaking at the launch, the President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, Stephane Abbas Miezan, underscored the purpose of the chamber, stating that it aims to provide skills training for students who want to venture into business.

“I believe most of you know about TESCON and TEIN, which focus on training students for politics. I thought about it wisely and asked myself—if politicians are training students to enter politics, what are business people doing to prepare our youth for entrepreneurship? Therefore, the need to establish Junior Chambers in all colleges. That is why we are here today,” he explained.

He further stated that the Junior Chamber aims to tackle unemployment by collaborating with industries to organize forums where students can showcase their business ideas.

“The Junior Chamber aims to encourage our brothers, sisters, and youth to embrace the idea of leaving school to create jobs for themselves rather than joining the perceived unemployed association. We want you to graduate and start your own businesses. Over time, the Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with industries, will organize forums where you can exhibit your talents and creativity. We, as business people, will assess these ideas and invest in them because sometimes, all you need is the right support to turn your dream into a global success,” he stated.

In his address, Vice Chancellor of TTU, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, reiterated the Junior Chamber’s role in curbing unemployment by transforming student innovations into commercial ventures.

“The youth play an indispensable role in the socio-economic development of nations, and their potential must not be overlooked. However, youth unemployment has been on the rise, partly due to traditional courses offered by many tertiary institutions, which often lack direct linkages to the world of work. To mitigate this challenge, tertiary institutions in Ghana, including TTU, have incorporated entrepreneurship education into their curricula. The GNCCI Junior Chamber and TTU Incubator are key milestones in this journey, providing students with practical avenues to translate their innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises,” he emphasized.

While expressing gratitude to the Chamber, he encouraged students and all present to embrace the initiative, as it will help restructure the education system.

“As we take this bold and transformative step toward a future of innovation and growth, I encourage our students, faculty, and industry partners to fully embrace the vast opportunities this initiative presents. This is a moment to foster collaboration, creativity, and forward-thinking solutions that will redefine our industries and educational landscape,” he urged.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education, Director-General of the Commission for TVET, Zakaria Sulemana, emphasised the government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship among young people.

He noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to promote technical and vocational education (TVET), digital skills training, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of employment and economic resilience.

He therefore, called on private sector players, development partners, and government agencies to collaborate in creating an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs.

Deputy Director-General of GTEC, Prof. Augustine Ocloo, also speaking at the event, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship among young people, emphasizing the importance of industry-focused education and practical training.

He acknowledged the challenges young entrepreneurs face, particularly the gap between academic learning and practical business experience, and expressed GTEC’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to bridge this divide.

Director of the National Service Authority, Felix Gyamfi, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, assured that the government is implementing policies and programmes to provide skills training, startup funding, and business development opportunities.

According to the Director, the government, in collaboration with educational institutions and industry leaders, is committed to fostering a business-friendly environment where youth-led enterprises can thrive.

Director for Centre for Business Development and Entrepreneurship, Joseph Oti-Asirifi, said the centre aims to offer a platform for business networking, ideation, and support to enhance entrepreneurial development amongst students.

He therefore urged stakeholders to leverage the opportunities presented by the partnership, ensuring that students and entrepreneurs receive the necessary support to succeed in an increasingly competitive business environment.

Some successful entrepreneurs who have made significant strides in the business space shared their experiences, offering insightful advice and encouraging young people to stay focused, build honesty, create strong networks, and take advantage of internships.

The launch was formalized by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties, outlining their respective roles and responsibilities.