3 Young entrepreneurs win Compassion International Ghana's Business Challenge
Innocent Kofi Tsamenyi, a 23-year-old student from Kumasi Technical University (KTU), has been crowned the overall winner of the 2025 Business Challenge organized by Compassion International Ghana (CIGH).
Tsamenyi, a final-year Electrical Engineering student, emerged as the champion after his project, Best Rice—a rice farming, processing, and selling venture based in Akuse, Eastern Region—made the most impact during the project pitching event.
As the winner, Tsamenyi took home a cash prize of GH₵16,000 and a certificate following the event, which took place at the Abokobi Presby Women's Centre in the Ga East Municipal District on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Mark Affum Kweitei, a 19-year-old student from Pentecost University College, was named the 1st runner-up with his project, Optimal Waste Management, a waste collection, segregation, and recycling initiative in Old Ningo.
Kweitei, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce, received GH₵14,000 to invest in his business, along with a certificate of participation.
21-year-old Christabel Naa Komley Coffie of the University of Ghana claimed the 2nd runner-up spot with her project, Crystal Braids Haven, which offers affordable braiding services to tertiary students, her target market. Coffie received GH₵12,000 and a certificate as her reward for the project.
Business challenge
The Compassion International Ghana with its Frontline Church Partners, initiated this intervention dubbed:'Entrepreneurship Challenge', to identify and empower a maximum of 50 youth participants as entrepreneurs.
The aim of the project is to increase entrepreneurship awareness among CIGH youth participants by 50 per cent.
The areas of business for consideration included but not limited to services such as laundry, home cleaning and courier services, agri-business, poultry,vegetable, fruit farming and animal rearing among others.
Using a selection criterion, participants who already have existing businesses that are viable and those with promising and viable business ideas, were trained in entrepreneurship. Out of this number, 25 of them with promising business ideas were selected and assisted financially with awards to start operation, scale and grow their businesses.
This is expected to enable them to transition from job seekers to job creators, thereby contributing to a more dynamic and thriving economy, and eventually release them from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Bridging unemployment gap
Speaking at the event, the National Director of CIGH, Mr Kobina Okyere, emphasized that Compassion International Ghana, in collaboration with LeadAfrique International, has created this platform to nurture businesses, support entrepreneurs, and help bridge the unemployment gap.
Mr Okyere further noted that the Business Challenge is not just a competition; "it serves as a launchpad for the next generation of innovators and disruptors."
He explained that the platform provides young individuals with the chance to think critically, collaborate, and develop solutions that tackle societal challenges while also generating economic value.
"Beyond job creation, entrepreneurship is about problem-solving. The world faces complex challenges—climate change, poverty, access to quality education and healthcare, food security, and financial inclusion. Businesses today are no longer just about profit; they are about purpose. Entrepreneurs are no longer just business owners; they are changemakers."
"By participating in this challenge, you are not just competing for prizes; you are preparing to become employers, problem solvers, and global changemakers. Your business ideas have the potential to shape industries, uplift communities, and influence policies on a global scale," he said.
"I urge each one of you to embrace this moment. Think beyond today. Think beyond the prize. Consider the lives you can touch, the industries you can disrupt, and the legacy you can create. There is so much more you can achieve—provided you are committed to investing time and effort."
He also expressed his gratitude to LeadAfrique International, church partners, and project workers for their immense contributions to the success of the project.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to our official partner for the Business Challenge, LeadAfrique International. You have been phenomenal on this journey. To our dedicated youth specialists, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of this event, we are truly grateful. To our church partners and project workers, who have supported and guided the participants in preparing for this challenge, we deeply appreciate your commitment. Thank you for believing in the power of young entrepreneurs," he stated
Appreciation
For his part, Innocent Kofi Tsamenyi, the winner of the Business Challenge, expressed his gratitude to the organizers and his parents for the opportunity to participate in the competition and for their immense support that helped him emerge as the winner.
"By God's grace, I am the winner and have been awarded GH₵16,000 to help expand my business. I will invest this money to ensure quality production and food processing that meets the needs of today’s generation. I am truly grateful to the leadership of Compassion International Ghana and LeadAfrique for this incredible opportunity," he said.
Mark Affum Kweitei, who placed second, shared, "I will invest this money into my business to help it thrive and to create more opportunities for young people. I joined this challenge with passion because I care deeply about the environment, and I’m thrilled to be one of the winners."
Christabel Naa Komley Coffie, the third-place winner, said, "I look forward to expanding my services beyond just tertiary students. Currently, I offer mobile services because I don’t have a shop, but I will invest the GH₵12,000 into my business and extend my services. This money will help me grow."
She added, "I want to thank Compassion International Ghana for giving me the opportunity to participate in this Business Challenge, and I am immensely grateful to LeadAfrique for transforming me and inspiring me to expand my services without limits."
The Compassion International is a child advocate non-governmental organisation dedicated to releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Through sponsorships and donations, they empower local churches to love, care for and protect children in poverty so they are free to learn, grow, play and dream.
