Enterprise

Edwuma

Rashid Adams Turns 100 Cedis Coconut Venture into Growing Brand

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Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rash Coco Hut, Rashid Adams, has transformed a coconut-selling venture he started with just 100 Ghana cedis into a growing enterprise producing bottled coconut water and organic fruit juices in Accra. Speaking on Ghana Grows Edwuma, Mr. Adams shared how his journey began after several years working as a driver’s mate. “I’ve always had the dream to build something and give the youth job opportunities,” he said. “After careful thought, I settled on the coconut business. It’s something I’ve done from childhood.” He explained that innovation has been central to his brand’s growth. “I can boldly say that selling bottled coconut water was introduced by Rashid, and many people can testify to this,” he noted. “The way we’ve known coconut sales over the years has been the same, but I decided to make it more appealing through packaging.” Today, Rash Coco Hut, located at Adenta Housing Down in Accra, operates with a team of young workers who help supply coconuts to customers daily and at events. The business sources its coconuts from Sammens and sells over 3,000 coconuts weekly. Beyond coconut water, the entrepreneur has expanded into producing a range of organic juices, including sugarcane, tiger nut, and pineapple blends. “We now have about 14 different varieties of juices, all pure and organic with no additives,” he said. Mr. Adams attributed his success to perseverance and purpose. “Indeed, I started this business with just 100 Ghana cedis. I think I’m blessed with knowledge and resilience to persist even under the harshest conditions,” he said. To sustain production, Rash Coco Hut now operates its own coconut farm, ensuring a steady supply of raw materials. Mr. Adams emphasized his goal of creating employment for young people. “Most people complete school and say there are no jobs. I’ve committed myself to working hard so that through my business, others can find opportunities and stay off the streets,” he added. Through Rash Coco Hut, Rashid Adams continues to demonstrate how creativity and determination can turn a small idea into a sustainable source of livelihood and inspiration for Ghana’s youth. About Ghana Grows Edwuma Ghana Grows Edwuma is a nationwide broadcast aired on TV and radio, aimed at encouraging young people to take up career opportunities in the agribusiness, agriculture, and ATVET sectors. By Genevieve Mensah

Springboard Road Show 2025

Springboard Road Show 2025 – Chiefs, MCEs, and Youth Unite to Champion Agriculture and Enterprise

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From the Upper West to the Ahafo and Bono East regions, the Springboard Road Show 2025 is igniting a wave of energy, hope, and empowerment among Ghana’s youth. The nationwide tour, running under the Ghana Grows programme, has drawn thousands of participants to its regional stops in Wa, Techiman, and Bechem, uniting traditional leaders, municipal executives, educators, and young entrepreneurs behind one shared vision, to transform agriculture, skills, and enterprise into engines of national growth. Now in its most ambitious edition yet, the Road Show is touring all 16 regions of Ghana, targeting over 500,000 young people, including young women and persons with disabilities. Each stop reflects the heartbeat of Ghana’s regions, distinct youth voices in one mission: to build a generation ready to grow. In the Upper West Region, the Road Show’s stop at the Wa Technical Institute was a blend of culture and purpose. Chiefs, opinion leaders, and the children of the esteemed Yaa Naa lent their presence in symbolic support of youth development. Alhaji Issah Nurah Danwanaa, Municipal Chief Executive for Wa, highlighted agriculture and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) as critical levers for sustainable development. “Together, let us drive agriculture and ATVET as the engines of youth and women empowerment for regional development,” Hon. Danwanaa urged. His remarks echoed the government’s commitment to revitalizing Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II and aligning TVET reforms with industry and agribusiness opportunities. The event underscored the growing synergy between traditional leadership, local governance, and national programmes in ensuring that young people, especially in northern Ghana, are equipped with the skills and confidence to lead. In the Bono East Region, the Springboard youth conference found expression at Techiman, where Hon. Kwaku Adjei Mensah, the Municipal Chief Executive, rallied young people to see agriculture not as a fallback, but as a frontier of innovation and enterprise. “Agriculture remains one of the most promising sectors for our youth,” he said. “It offers vast potential for innovation, employment, and enterprise.” The event spotlighted the intersection of mental health, mentorship, and entrepreneurship, with participants engaging in sessions on resilience and business start-ups. Members of the Ghana Grows Girls Club shared their success stories, including Ellen Anyaki, who turned e-mentoring and food processing lessons into a thriving garlic and ginger paste business, and Haggar Sackey, founder of Evert & Co., a youth-led soap production venture now training senior high school students. These stories personify the transformation Springboard seeks, from passive job seekers to proactive creators of value. At Bechem in the Ahafo Region, the traditional voice took centre stage. The Chief of Bechem, Nana Opaw Nwomaso Boampong Bekoe, called on government to expand support for agriculture, agribusiness, and ATVET programmes, describing them as “the true pathways to national wealth creation.” “When you go to Kumasi, most of the big houses belong to farmers,” he said. “These are the kinds of programmes the government should sponsor because they prepare young people to create real value.” The Bechem gathering featured hundreds of youths eager to learn from the success of Ghana Grows participants like Esther, who after attending the Empower360 Resin Arts Training in Accra, launched her own business and now mentors others. Hon. Charity Gardiner, Ahafo Regional Minister, commended the Foundation for its focus on young women in agriculture, noting that nearly 80% of participants in Ghana Grows are female, breaking traditional barriers in agribusiness and entrepreneurship. Across Wa, Techiman, and Bechem, one truth stands out, the Springboard Road Show 2025 is more than a series of events; it is a national awakening. It connects policy with people, and inspiration with opportunity, reshaping how young people see their potential. Under the leadership of Comfort Ocran, Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, and Albert Ocran, Technical Director, the movement blends storytelling, mentorship, and enterprise development into a transformative model for youth inclusion and empowerment. “True capital begins with what’s in your hands,” Comfort Ocran reminds participants. “Diligence, integrity, and tenacity build businesses that last.” As the 16-region tour continues, the Road Show is cultivating a new generation of purpose-driven changemakers, young people who are not just dreaming of the future, but building it, one skill, one business, and one community at a time. Marketing and Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Springboard Road Show 2025

Wa MCE Alhaji Issah Nurah Danwanaa Rallies Youth to Embrace Agriculture and ATVET Springboard Road Show 2025

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The Springboard Road Show 2025 brought its signature energy and inspiration to the Wa Technical Institute, drawing hundreds of young people, traditional leaders, and key stakeholders from across the Upper West Region. Now in its most ambitious edition yet, the Road Show is touring all 16 regions of Ghana with a target reach of more than 500,000 participants, including young women, young men, and persons with disabilities. Already, the stops in Bolgatanga, Walewale, and Tamale have generated widespread excitement, attracting entrepreneurs, students, and community leaders eager to tap into opportunities for growth and empowerment. In Wa, the presence of Chiefs, Opinion Leaders, and the children of the esteemed Yaa Naa symbolized the strong cultural endorsement for investing in the next generation. With agriculture and ATVET (agriculture, agribusiness, and technical and vocational education and training) as central themes, community leaders pledged their continued support to ensure that young people have access to leadership, skills, and enterprise opportunities. The gathering was further enriched by the participation of the Hon. Municipal Chief Executive, Alhaji Issah Nurah Danwanaa, who underscored agriculture’s pivotal role in Ghana’s economic growth. He emphasized government’s commitment to revitalizing Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II, scaling up youth-in-agriculture initiatives, and strengthening TVET reforms to better align training with industry and agribusiness demand. “Together, let us drive agriculture and ATVET as the engines of youth and women empowerment for regional development,” Hon. Danwanaa declared. As the Springboard Road Show 2025 continues its journey nationwide, it is fast becoming more than an event, it is a movement of inclusion, innovation, and transformation. With the active involvement of traditional authorities, government, the private sector, and development partners, the Road Show is cultivating a new generation of changemakers, young people equipped with skills, confidence, and purpose to transform their communities and industries. Marketing and Communications Springboard Roadshow Foundation

Springboard Road Show 2025

Techiman Youth Urged to Tap Opportunities in Agriculture – MCE Kwaku Adjei Mensah at Springboard Road Show 2025

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The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Techiman, Hon. Kwaku Adjei Mensah, has urged young people to explore opportunities in agriculture, describing the sector as a key driver of innovation, employment, and national development. He made the call at the Springboard Road Show 2025 held in Techiman, the sixth stop of the nationwide youth empowerment tour under the Ghana Grows programme. The event brought together young people, traditional leaders, and local authorities to discuss skills development, entrepreneurship, and mental well-being. Hon. Mensah noted that agriculture remains one of the most promising sectors for the country’s youth, offering vast potential for enterprise and self-employment. He encouraged participants to acquire practical skills and leverage both government and private-sector interventions to improve productivity and livelihoods. “Agriculture remains one of the most promising sectors for our youth. It offers vast potential for innovation, employment, and enterprise,” he said. “I encourage every young person to acquire practical skills and take advantage of interventions in agriculture to improve productivity and livelihoods.” The Techiman edition marked the transition of the Road Show from Ghana’s northern and savannah zones to the middle belt. The initiative, expected to cover all 16 regions and engage over 500,000 young people, focuses on empowering youth through innovation, inclusion, and mentorship. A key session on mental health and psychosocial support emphasized emotional resilience and self-care as vital elements of personal and professional success. Facilitators also highlighted the availability of free counselling services under the Ghana Grows programme. Two members of the Ghana Grows Girls Club shared how the initiative had transformed their lives. Ellen Anyaki said e-mentoring sessions on entrepreneurship and food processing helped her start a garlic and ginger paste business after winning the 60-Day Backyard Farming Challenge. “Through e-mentoring on entrepreneurship and food processing, I was able to start a garlic and ginger paste business,” she said. “Winning the 60-Day Backyard Farming Challenge gave me a starter kit and financial support to expand my venture.” Haggar Sackey, a participant of the Empower360 training, said training in soap making inspired her to establish Evert & Co., a youth-led enterprise that trains senior high school students in soap production and entrepreneurship. “The soap-making training gave me the confidence to start my own business,” she said. “The programme gave me purpose and direction.” Traditional leaders, including Nana Adwoa Akwaabea Sika (New Krobo Hemaa), Nana Kwadwo Yeboah (Atipimhene, Krobo Kyidom Traditional Council), and Nana Afia Yeboaa (Atipimhemaa, Krobo Kyidom Traditional Council), graced the event. Nana Kwadwo Yeboah, also a Ghana Grows Youth Ambassador, said his training at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) had enhanced his knowledge in agriculture and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET), enabling him to mentor young people through Career Clinic sessions. The Springboard Road Show 2025 continues its mission of nurturing a generation of skilled, confident, and purpose-driven young people. From Techiman, the nationwide journey proceeds to the Bono Region, carrying forward the message of enterprise, innovation, and empowerment for every young person ready to grow. Marketing and Communications Springboard Roadshow Foundation

Edwuma

Ex-Banker Transforms Ghana’s Fruits into Healthy Popsicles

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Gertrude Adzo Borklo, the visionary founder and CEO of Popsicles Ghana, is redefining Ghana’s frozen dessert industry by transforming locally grown fruits into healthy, colorful, and delicious treats. Her inspiring journey, featured on Ghana Grows Edwuma, the nationwide youth-in-agribusiness broadcast, began when a career setback became a springboard for innovation. After losing her job as an investment banker, Gertrude revisited her childhood memories of helping her mother make and sell ice cream. “I realized I could build on what she taught me, but with a healthier twist,” she said. What started in her kitchen in 2019 has grown into a thriving brand based in Tema Community 25, now six years strong. Unlike conventional ice creams, Popsicles Ghana products contain no milk or refined sugar. Instead, they are made with fresh fruits, honey, date syrup, and plant-based sweeteners, catering to health-conscious consumers, people with diabetes, and those who are lactose intolerant. “Fruits are naturally sweet, and that’s our foundation,” Ms. Borklo explained. Her creativity doesn’t end with popsicles. In 2024, she introduced Crunchy Cones, handmade, locally produced ice-cream cones in various shapes and sizes, including wafers, tacos, and waffle bowls. The company is preparing to distribute branded boxes of cones to retail outlets nationwide. Despite challenges such as limited financing and marketing support, Gertrude credits social media and word-of-mouth referrals for fueling brand growth. “The entrepreneurial landscape in Ghana is not always favorable to young entrepreneurs, but six years down the line, I’m proud of where we’ve gotten to,” she shared. Beyond building her brand, Ms. Borklo is passionate about mentoring others. Popsicles Ghana has trained dozens of young people, including students eager to enter the dessert industry, a sector she believes holds enormous untapped potential. “You might not be financially stable at the beginning, but if you stay consistent and reinvest what you make, your enterprise grows every day,” she advised. From sourcing coconuts in Agbozume to pineapples in Pokuase and mangoes in Somanya, Popsicles Ghana supports local farmers and demonstrates the value of agribusiness innovation. Ms. Borklo urges aspiring entrepreneurs to take bold steps: “Whatever your dream or goal, do a deep introspection, start small, and grow it. There’s so much opportunity in Ghana.” About Ghana Grows Edwuma Ghana Grows Edwuma is a nationwide broadcast under the Ghana Grows Programme, a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and the Springboard Road Show Foundation. The platform spotlights young entrepreneurs and professionals driving change in agriculture, agribusiness, and technical and vocational education and training (ATVET). Through storytelling and inspiration, Ghana Grows Edwuma aims to spark mindset shifts and empower the next generation of Ghanaian changemakers. Marketing and Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Hangout

It’s Time for Northern Kente to Take the Stage – Winifred Edjeani, Founder, Ekasa Kente

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Founder of Ekasa Kente, Winifred Edjeani, has called for greater recognition of Northern Ghana’s unique Kente tradition while working to empower rural women through weaving and financial literacy. Speaking on Springboard Hangout with Lady Comfort Ocran, she shared how her brand was inspired by a desire to reduce the economic pressures that force women from the north to migrate to southern cities for low-paying jobs. “If I can empower them to make their own money and secure financial freedom where they are, they won’t have to come to Accra to carry heavy loads for tiny wages,” she said. Ms. Edjeani explained that the idea for Ekasa was born after conducting research with 200 Kayayo women during the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed a lack of financial literacy and economic opportunities in their home communities. A visit to Tamale introduced her to a group of female weavers, leading to a programme that now trains over 30 young women. According to her, beyond fashion, she uses Ekasa as a platform to teach women how to manage their finances, a principle she learned from her father at the age of 13. “As a woman, you need to have your own money. I call it ‘bluff money’. I love to teach women how to make money, how to save it, and how to enjoy it,” she said. She added that the enterprise also supports the Nungua New Life Orphanage annually and provides resources to weaving families in the north, ensuring mothers can work alongside their children in safe environments. “We love and appreciate Ashanti Kente, but it’s time for the Northern Kente to take the stage,” she said. About Springboard HangoutSpringboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centred show hosted by Lady Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences to educate, entertain, and equip the next generation. By Faustina Yeboah