GNCCI–KNUST Junior Chamber launched to strengthen youth entrepreneurship

The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) has officially launched the KNUST–GNCCI Junior Chamber at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), expanding a national initiative aimed at preparing university students for entrepreneurship, private sector leadership, and job creation.

The launch is part of GNCCI’s broader strategy to strengthen collaboration between universities and industry, providing young Ghanaians with practical business skills, mentorship, and access to enterprise networks.

The programme builds on earlier launches at the University of Ghana and Takoradi Technical University in 2025. The event brought together university leadership, government representatives, private sector stakeholders, students, and development partners to advance youth entrepreneurship and economic transformation.

In his address, Stephane Miezan, President of GNCCI, said the Junior Chamber initiative responds to Ghana’s demographic and employment realities. He highlighted that while Ghana’s youthful population presents opportunities for innovation, many graduates face challenges transitioning into employment or entrepreneurship due to limited access to networks, mentorship, practical training, and capital.

“Through the GNCCI Junior Chamber, students will gain practical entrepreneurial training, mentorship from experienced business leaders, and access to industry networks that will enable them to transform ideas into sustainable enterprises,” Miezan said. He added that the initiative aims to nurture a new generation of business leaders to contribute to private sector development, job creation, and Ghana’s long-term economic growth.

Representing the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Pro Vice Chancellor David Asamoah emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration between academia and industry. He noted that universities should serve as platforms for innovation, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving within national economies. The partnership between KNUST and GNCCI will give students direct exposure to business realities and help them apply academic knowledge to practical solutions that drive enterprise development.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, was represented by Ben Abdallah Alhassan, Municipal Chief Executive of the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly, who described the initiative as a timely intervention to address youth unemployment and strengthen entrepreneurship among tertiary students.

Data from the Ghana Statistical Service indicate that youth unemployment remains a significant challenge, with 32.5 percent of young people aged 15 to 24 unemployed. Initiatives like the GNCCI Junior Chamber are therefore critical to expanding job creation and promoting private sector growth.

The programme provides participating students with mentorship, business development training, networking opportunities, and exposure to emerging sectors such as digital entrepreneurship and intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), equipping them with skills to thrive in Ghana’s evolving economic landscape.