Eric Adjei- CEO of NEIP
President John Dramani Mahama, the Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Adjei, have thrown their weight behind efforts to transform the creative talents of young people in the Ashanti Region into viable businesses through entrepreneurship and innovation.
The call was made at the Ashanti Arts and Enterprise Summit, organized by the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council in conjunction with NEIP at Kumasi Girls Senior High School on Saturday, June 20, 2026, under the theme “From Talent to Enterprise.”
The summit brought together government officials, educators, students, development partners and exhibitors, with a strong focus on equipping young people in the visual and creative arts space with the mindset and tools needed to convert their skills into sustainable enterprises.
Delivering the keynote address, Eric Adjei, CEO of NEIP, praised Dr. Frank Amoakohene for what he described as visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to youth development in the Ashanti Region, saying the summit had created a powerful platform for nurturing talent and innovation.
He said the event had already demonstrated the vast creative potential within the region, noting that the artworks, designs and concepts displayed by students reflected not only artistic brilliance but also the promise of a thriving creative economy if given the right support.
According to Mr. Adjei, the summit’s theme was a reminder that while talent may be natural, enterprise is what gives talent economic value and long-term relevance, stressing that creativity alone is not enough unless it is developed into a source of livelihood and impact.
To address that challenge, he highlighted NEIP’s Students Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (SEED) programme, which he said was designed to equip students with entrepreneurial skills, mentorship and direct access to funding so they can build businesses while still in school.
He explained that the programme seeks to move students away from a dependency on job opportunities after graduation and instead empower them to become job creators by turning classroom ideas, creative concepts and innovations into businesses with growth potential.
In a pointed message to students, the NEIP CEO rejected the perception that some academic courses are more important than others, insisting that there is no superior discipline if students are able to apply what they learn to solve problems and create value in society.
He urged students in visual arts, business, science, humanities and vocational fields to see education as a launchpad for enterprise, arguing that the real power of a certificate lies not in its title but in the ability of its holder to combine knowledge, creativity and discipline to produce results.
Mr. Adjei also commended both teachers and students for embracing the summit with seriousness and determination, describing their participation as evidence that they are ready to seize opportunities and shape their own futures rather than wait passively for employment.
He reserved special praise for the students whose works were exhibited at the summit, saying the pieces on display showed a remarkable blend of traditional artistic inspiration and modern innovation, and reflected the kind of creativity capable of positioning Ghana strongly within the global creative economy.
In one of the most personal moments of his address, the NEIP CEO recounted his own journey as a former student of Osei Tutu Senior High School, revealing that Dr. Frank Amoakohene had been his senior in school, and telling students that their own dreams were equally valid if pursued with determination, discipline and faith.
Though President John Dramani Mahama was featured prominently in the summit’s publicity, the central message from the event was clear: Ghana’s next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and industry leaders could emerge from classrooms and creative studios if young people are given the support to turn talent into enterprise, with NEIP pledging to walk that journey with them through training, mentorship and sustained institutional backing.
