Three outstanding young innovators have emerged as winners at the Youth Innovation Circles (YIC) Pitch and Demo Day, an initiative organized by Hapa Space in partnership with the UNDP and Mastercard Foundation.
The event, held on Wednesday, December 11, at the Golden Bean Hotel in Kumasi, celebrated the ingenuity, entrepreneurial spirit, and problem-solving skills of Ghana’s youth.
A total of 12 finalists showcased their innovative ideas during a five-minute pitch session, which tested their presentation abilities while providing valuable feedback to strengthen their business ventures.
Joshua Yeboah, a level 300 student at Kumasi Technical University, claimed the top prize of GHC 10,000 for his Aboboya Electric Tricycle, an innovative solution addressing transportation challenges in rural areas. Deyok Foods emerged as the first runner-up, receiving GHC 7,000, while Lois and Louisa Kyeretwie, co-founders of L & L Palace, secured the second runner-up position with a prize of GHC 5,000.
The winners were applauded for their creativity, entrepreneurial mindset, and dedication to solving real-world problems.
Mr. Gideon Brefo, CEO of Hapa Space, shared insights on the long-term impact of the Youth Innovation Circles program, emphasizing the role of young innovators in creating employment opportunities and promoting sustainable community development.
The Chief Technical Advisor for Young Africa Innovates (YAI) programme at UNDP Ghana, Allen Anie, underscored the importance of empowering unconventional innovators to drive impactful solutions.
“We have seen a lot of remarkable innovations in agro-processing, including creative ways to transform farm produce into powder and preserve it for wider markets. It’s often said that those closest to the problem have a better understanding of the solution—they just need support to bring that vision to life,” he noted.
Other key speakers, including Mr. Albert Fritzel Abban of Pan African Savings & Loans and Mr. Daniel Tetteh-Wayo from GCB, shared valuable opportunities available to MSMEs through their respective financial institutions.
The event, part of the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) initiative, is a collaborative effort between Hapa Space, the UNDP, and Mastercard Foundation. The program aims to empower young Ghanaians with innovative solutions to address local challenges and drive transformative change nationwide.
Expressing his gratitude, Joshua Yeboah shared his vision for the future: “My aim is to build an electric transport system that is both environmentally friendly and affordable to help farmers in rural communities transport their goods to markets and towns.”
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