Northern Ghana Backs 18 Young Entrepreneurs With Funding

Eighteen young entrepreneurs across Northern Ghana just received something many thought was out of reach: real investment in their business dreams.

The Coalition for Positive Impact announced the selections at their Igniting Dreams Summit 2026 in Wa, where more than 260 young people gathered to learn, connect, and reimagine what's possible for their region. Each of the 18 selected entrepreneurs will receive business development support, mentorship, and funding to grow their ventures.

The summit tackled a hard truth head-on. Northern Ghana has faced systematic disadvantages since colonial times, leading to limited investment and high poverty rates despite abundant natural resources and a young, energetic population.

"This is not a story of a region that failed. This is a story of a region that was failed," said Maazu Bayouni, founder of the Coalition for Positive Impact. His message was clear: Northern Ghana doesn't need charity. It needs partnership and investment.

The numbers tell the story of untapped potential. Youth unemployment remains high across all five northern regions, with many young businesses trapped in the informal sector without access to capital or markets.

Upper West Regional Minister Charles Lwanga Puozing reframed the challenge as opportunity. The government is committed to creating policies that support private sector growth, digital transformation, and investment in young entrepreneurs.

Tama Victoria Fidwanan, founder of Girl From South, called the summit transformative. She encouraged other young people to start with whatever resources they have and use collaboration to build sustainable businesses.

Bruce Campbell, another participant, said the training and networking opened doors he didn't know existed. The connections he made will help strengthen his business and create more jobs across the region.

The Ripple Effect: This isn't just about 18 businesses. When young entrepreneurs succeed in underserved regions, they hire locally, inspire others, and prove that innovation can happen anywhere. The summit's emphasis on tailored financing models recognizes that cookie-cutter approaches don't work for communities with unique challenges. By investing in Northern Ghana's youth now, partners like the Mastercard Foundation, Noni Hub, and supporting organizations are helping build an entire entrepreneurial ecosystem that can sustain itself for generations.

The initiative marks a turning point: Northern Ghana's future will be shaped not by inherited challenges, but by homegrown solutions.