KIC and Am-Cham Ghana engage Business Leaders on Youth Entrepreneurship in Ghana

Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana (Am-Cham Ghana) hosted a high-level CEO Breakfast Meeting, bringing together key business leaders to discuss strategic value creation, shared prosperity, and growth, through youth development and entrepreneurship. The event served as an opportunity for the private sector to engage in shaping the next generation of business leaders in the agriculture and technology sectors.

Themed “Strategic Value and Impact Creation for Shared Prosperity and Growth: The role of Corporate Institutions,” the meeting focused on how the private sector can leverage KIC’s youth development initiatives to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic growth. During the discussions, KIC highlighted its unique approach to supporting youth-led businesses and startups through training, mentorship, and incubation programs.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Joe Mensah, Board Chair of KIC emphasized the organization’s long-standing commitment to entrepreneurship as a force for positive social and economic transformation. ” At KIC, we believe that youth-led innovation is crucial for solving some of Ghana’s most pressing challenges, particularly in the agricultural sector. By investing in young entrepreneurs, businesses can create lasting value while ensuring shared prosperity,” he said.

For his opening address, Mr. Bethel Yeboah, Corporate Affairs Director for Cocoa Cola West Africa, and Treasurer, Board of Directors for American Chamber of Commerce- Ghana highlighted the important role of the chamber in business development, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

“Through collaborations like this, KIC and Am-Cham Ghana believe that private sector organizations can play a pivotal role in creating opportunities for youth, enhancing innovation, and driving growth in sectors like agriculture and technology, he said.

Providing perspectives on strategic value creation, Prof. Daniel Ofori, Professor of Management, University of Ghana Business School, presented on Corporate Responsibility, Shared Value and the role of organisations in promoting corporate strategy aligned to environmental, social and governance indicators. He highlighted the importance of youth development in building organizational strategies.

Participants were introduced to KIC’s flagship programs, including the AgriTech Challenge, which provides a platform for young innovators to develop sustainable business solutions for the agriculture sector. Through this initiative, KIC has successfully supported over 64 youth-founded businesses, many of which are actively contributing to economic development and job creation in Ghana.

“At Kosmos Innovation Center, we aim to build a talent pipeline that can meet the evolving needs of the business community, while also creating entrepreneurs within the agricultural sector. Our programs provide training and capacity building that empower young people to identify opportunities within the agricultural sector and create business solutions,” said Mr. Benjamin Gyan- Kesse, the Executive Director of KIC.

By bringing together influential leaders in business and entrepreneurship, KIC and the Am-Cham Ghana are driving a crucial conversation on the role of the private sector in empowering youth and shaping the future of Ghana’s economy.