Total Petroleum Ghana Limited, through its “Startupper challenge”, has committed GH¢160,000 to support startup entrepreneurs in the country.
This is to motivate and support young entrepreneurs with the aim of promoting economic development in the country.
The winner of the challenge will take home GH¢80,000 with the second and third receiving GH¢48,000, and GH¢32,000 respectively.
This was revealed by the Managing Director of Total Ghana, Mr Oliver Van Parys, at the launch of the contest in Accra.
The challenge seeks to identify and reward the best projects in enterprise creation or development less than two-years old across the country.
This initiative is being replicated in 34 other African countries simultaneously to motivate and support young entrepreneurs.
Mr Van Parys said the contest was part of its global initiative to support the socio-economic development of all the countries it operated in.
He said it was a concrete action which sought to locally strengthen the industrial fabric and employment on the African continent, by supporting the most daring and innovative entrepreneurs in realising their projects.
The application process runs from November to January 2016, after which a jury of professionals will pre-select up to 10 of the best projects in Ghana based on the following criteria: how innovative, original, and daring the project is, its development potential and its capacity to improve the living conditions of the population.
After candidates’ defence, the jury will select the best projects – three maximum – and the results will be announced during the awards ceremony.
The overall winner will be granted the ‘Startupper’ with financial support and mentorship from Total Ghana.