Opplift, a sustainable development organisation focused on the economic empowerment and growth of entrepreneurs in developing communities, has reaffirmed its commitment to creating sustainable opportunities for young Ghanaians through entrepreneurship, skills development, mentorship and practical support.
The organisation made the commitment at the maiden edition of the OPPLIFT Youth Entrepreneurs Summit 2026, held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the British Council Auditorium in Accra under the theme "Build to Thrive: Equipping Young Entrepreneurs for Success in Ghana."
The summit brought together business leaders, industry experts, key stakeholders and approximately 100 young entrepreneurs to explore practical approaches to starting, building and sustaining businesses in Ghana.
Opplift said sustainable support in the form of skills, mentorship and practical resources is what turns determination into thriving businesses. The organisation seeks to contribute to the economic empowerment of entrepreneurs by creating opportunities that can enable individuals and communities to move beyond poverty and build more resilient futures.
Through initiatives such as the summit and its Farm in A Barrel programme, Opplift seeks to complement broader efforts to expand job creation, strengthen vocational and apprenticeship opportunities and promote inclusive economic participation.
The summit began with a welcome message from the Founder of Opplift, Mr Kris Asleson, followed by opening remarks from the Team and Country Lead, Mr Nana Mensah. Their messages highlighted the potential young talents possess and the need to support and equip them with available resources and mentorship to help them build sustainable businesses.
The first session featured guest speaker Mr Ekow Mensah, who urged entrepreneurs to become intentional about how they use their time and resources while recognising the value of their skills. Among the key lessons shared were the importance of avoiding relationships and activities that do not contribute to one's purpose, understanding the value of time, mastering the art of selling and knowing when to engage professionals to handle specialised aspects of a business.
The second session focused on the effective use of social media by startup businesses, delivered by marketing consultant Mr Stephen Naasei Boadi, who explained how startups can use social media more effectively as a tool for visibility, communication, customer engagement and business growth.
The third session featured a panel discussion involving business leaders and industry experts including Mr Richard Ohene Sika, a fashion educationist and talent manager, Ms Josephine Toudeka, Founder of Toudeka's Enterprise, and Mr Eugene Wilson Ocran, Programmes Manager at Opplift. The session, moderated by Ms Valerie Danso, enabled the panellists to share insights about their journeys, the challenges associated with entrepreneurship and tips on what it takes to move from starting a business to building one that survives and grows.
A major highlight of the summit was the unveiling of twelve young beneficiaries selected to receive seed funding, logistical support and mentorship to help them start their ventures.
For Opplift, the initiative represents more than a one-day event. The summit will return annually, giving each new generation of young entrepreneurs a place to learn, connect and access opportunities that can contribute to the growth and sustainability of their businesses.
The summit was held with support from Immix Law Group, Flyrise, Launchava, Patch Pro and the Council of Entrepreneurs.
Opplift is a non-profit organisation founded in 2011 by Mr Kris Asleson, focused on empowering young entrepreneurs in developing communities. Through programmes such as Farm in A Barrel and the summit, it creates opportunities for hardworking people to lift themselves out of poverty by providing training, workshops, mentorship and seed grants to help transform their business ideas into viable ventures.