Ghana has a population of around 32 million people. It is characterized by a youthful demographic, with a significant portion of the population under the age of 35. Ghanaian youth face significant challenges that hinder their personal growth and economic contribution to national development. Youth unemployment in Ghana is relatively high. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, the unemployment rate for young people aged 15-24 was 19.7% in 2021, while the rate for those aged 25-35 was 11.8%. Additionally, many are underemployed in low-paying, insecure jobs within the informal sector, which employs about 85% of the workforce (International Labour Organization, 2020).

To help address this challenge TradeAID Integrated initiated the I-Solve Business Incubation Programme. The name I-Solve come from the fact that entrepreneurs solve problems and the hub hope to guide young entrepreneurs to help address the challenges of Northern Ghana and Ghana at large. We offer pathways in Craft Skills Development, ICT & Digital Skills, and Agriculture & Agri-business.

Goal

To foster socio-economic development through talent nurturing and entrepreneurial development, our incubation Hub provides workspace, equipment, and intensive mentorship to transform ideas into thriving enterprises.

Objective

In the next five years we hope to be able to support about 750 young men and women set up their own businesses to employ themselves and others.

Key Services

• Refinement of business ideas


• Starter packs for business launch


• Business planning and management training


• Internship and apprenticeship placements


• Mentorship by industry experts


• Peer-to-peer learning networks


• Access to flexible financing


• Customer acquisition and retention strategies


• Facilitation of business partnerships

Key Resources

• Furnished workspace


• SDedicated staff and mentors


• Some revolving fund for investments

Achievements

The concept has been operationalized with the support of two projects that we have implemented namely Sustaining the Craft Industry in Bolgatanga (SUSCRIB). Under this project the craft pathway was operationalized with the recruitment of 36 incubates made up of 33 females and 3 men aged between 18-35 years were taken through the process of incubation and supporter with a starter pack averagely GHC 2000.00.

The second project is the Sustainable Development, Human Rights Inclusion and Equality-SHINE Project. Under this project 87 incubates have been recruited made up of 54 females and 33 men. This project operationalized the pathway on Agriculture and Agri-business. All the incubates under this received a starter pack value at GHC 5, 000.00