Dr. Andrews Ayiku, Senior Lecturer and SME Industry Coach at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), says the INSPIRE Project is fast becoming a catalyst for change in Ghana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The 36-month initiative, led by the E4Impact Foundation and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore with support from the Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development (AICS), is designed to tackle youth unemployment and promote sustainable job creation across the country.
According to Dr. Ayiku, the project brings together UPSA, the Interuniversity Research Centre for Public Services (CRISP), Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo (VIS), and Don Bosco West Africa to bridge the gap between education and the job market.
By combining the efforts of academic institutions, public agencies, and private stakeholders, INSPIRE is helping young people acquire practical skills while strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
One of the project’s biggest contributions, he noted, is vocational training. With eight specialized centers operating in Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern, Bono, and Western regions, young Ghanaians are being trained in sectors such as IT, electronics, welding, and agri-food processing.
These centers not only focus on technical skills but also on problem-solving and business management, making participants better prepared to start businesses or join existing SMEs.
Dr. Ayiku further highlighted INSPIRE’s commitment to inclusivity, explaining that 35 percent of its more than 1,600 direct jobs are reserved for women and persons with disabilities. With tailored mentorship programmes and adaptive training modules, groups often excluded from entrepreneurship are finding space in industries like agri-food and electronics, bringing new perspectives to innovation.
The project also supports SME competitiveness by offering training in business management, financial literacy, and market access. These interventions, Dr. Ayiku said, are helping entrepreneurs adopt modern practices, scale their businesses, and compete internationally. Strategic partnerships with the private sector and public institutions also mean that entrepreneurs benefit from internships, funding opportunities, and policy support.
With its focus on high-potential sectors such as civil construction, hydraulics, IT, electronics, and welding, the project is aligning closely with Ghana’s development priorities. More importantly, its regional reach ensures that opportunities are not concentrated only in urban areas. From industrial skills training in the Western Region to agricultural-focused programmes in Bono, INSPIRE is empowering rural youth, reducing migration pressures, and driving local economic growth.
For Dr. Ayiku, the project is more than just a development programme—it is a movement shaping the future of work in Ghana. “INSPIRE is laying the groundwork for a successful future in which every young Ghanaian can thrive,” he said.
