Young entrepreneurs in Techiman have received a major boost after participating in the Adventist Edition of the McDan Youth Connect initiative, a programme aimed at nurturing innovative businesses and reducing unemployment among Ghanaian youth. The programme, organised by the Mid North Ghana Conference in partnership with the McDan Foundation, was hosted at the AMSDA Church and attracted 14 promising entrepreneurs who pitched business ideas spanning manufacturing, agriculture and vocational training.

After intense presentations and evaluations, AMSDA Green Lather Soap emerged overall winner and walked away with GH¢20,000. Florico Processing Limited and Agriease Ltd secured GH¢10,000 each as first and second runners-up. The programme also celebrated social impact entrepreneurship, with special recognition given to Immaculate Kreation, a physically challenged woman empowering young people through training in sewing, crocheting, bead making and soap production.

In recognition of her efforts, businessman and philanthropist Daniel McKorley directed that she be given an undisclosed financial support package to strengthen her work. The judging panel featured Prakash Pyne and Gifty Nana Ama Amoah, who praised participants for presenting practical and market-driven solutions capable of creating employment opportunities.

Director of the programme, Kelvin Atuguba, announced that all 14 contestants had secured slots in the upcoming National Entrepreneurial Challenge.

According to him, the decision followed instructions from Chairman McKorley, who believed the contestants demonstrated exceptional innovation and entrepreneurial promise deserving of national exposure.

Traditional leaders present at the event commended the initiative and proposed that a similar entrepreneurial pitching platform be created for chiefs and traditional authorities to present community development interventions for sponsorship and implementation.

Many participants expressed gratitude to the organisers, stating that the competition had provided them with invaluable exposure, mentorship and the confidence to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams more aggressively. The McDan Youth Connect initiative continues to gain recognition as one of the emerging platforms supporting entrepreneurship development and youth economic empowerment in Ghana.