The Coalition for Positive Impact (CPI) has called for increased investment in young entrepreneurs in Northern Ghana, arguing that sustained support for youth-led businesses is key to tackling unemployment, poverty and regional inequality.
The call was made at the Igniting Dreams Summit 2026, held under the theme “Reimagining Possibilities: Youth Innovation and Investment in Northern Ghana.” The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, development partners, policymakers and ecosystem builders from across the country.
Delivering the keynote address on June 17, 2026, in Wa, Founder of the Coalition for Positive Impact, Maazu Bayouni, traced Northern Ghana’s development challenges to historical inequalities, saying the region had been systematically disadvantaged since the colonial era.
He argued that despite its abundant natural resources and youthful population, Northern Ghana continues to face limited investment, high poverty levels and inadequate access to finance for entrepreneurs.
”This is not a story of a region that failed. This is a story of a region that was failed. Investing in youth entrepreneurs key to Northern Ghana’s growth,” Bayouni said.
He noted that youth unemployment remains high across the five northern regions, while many young businesses operate in the informal sector without access to capital, mentorship and markets.
Bayouni urged investors, development finance institutions and philanthropic organisations to adopt financing models tailored to the realities of young entrepreneurs in underserved communities.
”We are not asking for pity. We are not asking for charity. We are asking for partnership and investment,” he stated.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozing, said Northern Ghana’s challenges should be viewed as opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship through policies that promote private sector growth, digital transformation and investment.
”The future of Northern Ghana will not be determined by the challenges we inherit, but by the solutions we create,” the Regional Minister said.
The Operations Director of the Coalition for Positive Impact, Issam Nuhu, said this year’s programme has selected 18 entrepreneurs from the five northern regions to receive business development support, mentorship and funding.
According to him, more than 260 young people participated in the summit through keynote sessions, panel discussions and practical business workshops aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial capacity.
He said the initiative seeks to encourage young people to create businesses capable of generating employment rather than relying solely on government jobs.
One of the participants, Tama Victoria Fidwanan, founder of Girl From South, described the summit as an opportunity to network, learn and build partnerships with other entrepreneurs.
She encouraged young people to embrace entrepreneurship, start with available resources and leverage collaboration to grow sustainable businesses.
Another beneficiary, Bruce Campbell, said the programme had exposed participants to valuable training and networking opportunities that would help strengthen their businesses and create more jobs in Northern Ghana.
The Igniting Dreams programme is supported by the Mastercard Foundation, Noni Hub, Fido, San Jose Foundation and the Weller Foundation, and aims to build a vibrant entrepreneurial.
