The Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Adjei, has said that the Students Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (SEED) Programme represents a strategic shift in Ghana’s approach to youth entrepreneurship development.

The programme was officially launched at the University of Professional Studies, Accra as part of government efforts to address youth unemployment by equipping students with practical entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, incubation, and access to funding.

Eric Adjei explained that the SEED initiative is designed to ensure that entrepreneurship development begins earlier, particularly at the student level, and is pursued with greater intention and structure.

“SEED is not just another initiative. It is a strategic shift. A shift for starting earlier. A shift towards being intentional about the student entrepreneurship in this country,” he said.

He stressed that Ghana’s ambition to build a strong entrepreneurial economy depends on how effectively young people are supported at the formative stage of their ideas. “If you truly want to build a strong entrepreneurial nation, then you must begin from somewhere. And we believe strongly that somewhere starts from here today,” he noted.

According to him, the SEED Programme provides a structured ecosystem that combines co-creation workshops, mentorship, incubation, and access to funding to help students transform ideas into sustainable businesses.

He said the initiative was developed through collaboration with academia, government agencies, private sector actors, and development partners.

“This initiative was designed in partnership with ecosystem actors including academia, government agencies, private sector and development partners,” he stated.

Mr Adjei further clarified that the launch was not a ceremonial exercise but a working engagement aimed at refining ideas and strengthening implementation. “This was not just a ceremonial gathering. It was a working session where ideas were challenged, perspectives shared, and solutions consolidated and refined,” he said.

He added that the SEED Programme represents a collective national vision designed to directly serve young people and respond to their entrepreneurial aspirations. “What we are launching today is not just a programme. It is a collective vision shaped by very people it is meant to serve,” he noted.

The NEIP CEO emphasised that youth entrepreneurship development requires collaboration beyond government alone.

“Youth entrepreneurship development cannot be achieved by the government alone,” he said, calling for stronger private sector and development partner involvement. He urged students to fully engage with the programme and take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

“I encourage you to engage fully, learn intentionally, take advantage of every opportunity provided,” he said.

He concluded by noting that entrepreneurship is ultimately about problem solving, value creation, and transformation.

“Entrepreneurship is not just about making money. It is about solving problems. It is about creating opportunity for others. It is about creating value and it is also about changing lives and transforming Ghana,” he stated.

The SEED Programme is expected to serve as a structured pipeline for student entrepreneurs across tertiary institutions, turning innovative ideas into viable businesses that contribute to national development.