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Ghana

Young Africa Works

Building a network of entrepreneurs and an innovative community of change-makers in alignment with employment strategies set by the Ghanaian government. 

Our Goal: Enable three million young people to secure work by 2030.

Context: The current rates of under- and unemployment in Ghana are 42 percent and 12 percent respectively.

Our Approach: With a focus on young entrepreneurial women, provide future business leaders with access to business development skills, financing, and marketplaces. Also, identify growing sectors of the economy and strengthen education in these areas, placing priority on digital training and technology-focused employment. 

Priority sectors: Focus on areas that offer strong potential for creating work for young people, as well as informal settings to support women’s entrepreneurship. These sectors and settings include agriculture, tourism, and hospitality—each underpinned by digital technology. 

 

 

 

Creating Prosperity and Equal Opportunity in Ghana

News and Announcements

Thirteen Ghanaian Professionals Graduate from the Inaugural Young Impact Associates Program

Inspired by the late Ghanaian thought leader in the MEL and International Development sectors, Sulley Gariba, the Mastercard Foundation launched the YIA Program in 2022, with the aspiration to engage and inspire a new and dynamic generation of young African professionals to transform the Impact Measurement field.

Learn more about the graduates

Breaking Barriers for Ghanaian Women in Tech

In a new video series, we highlight women’s voices in Ghana’s growing tech ecosystem on closing the digital gender gap. The Mastercard Foundation’s Gender and Safeguarding Community of Practice (CoP) interviewed program participants to showcase the instrumental role of women in Africa’s digital transformation. In the first episode of the series, young women discuss actions needed to improve women’s access to technology.

Watch Now

2020 Social Venture Challenge Winners: Kwabeng Robotics and Mentorship Hub

“[I]n Ghana, the female population is underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field. As a team, we want to use the motivational effects of robotics and mentorship to ignite their desire for STEM programs and bridge the gap between young men and women when it comes to the interest in pursuing STEM programs in Ghana.”—Ofori Richard and Yamoah Veronica  

Read more

Debut Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Survey Provides a Snapshot of Post-Grad Life

In June 2020, the Scholars Program launched its first-ever alumni survey. Nearly 4,000 participated virtually—an estimated 30 percent response rate. The insights gleaned are proving invaluable for future Scholars.  

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An Audacious Strategy to Ensure Young Africa Works

The Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy outlines plan for three million young people in Ghana to access opportunities for work.

Read more.

Five Things Young People in Ghana Want for Their Future

The Overseas Development Institute sought to better understand the aspirations of young people in Ghana as part of the Mastercard Foundation’s Youth Forward initiative.

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