CLIENT OVERVIEW
Opplift is an initiative founded by Kris Asleson and spearheaded in Ghana by Nana Mensah, the country lead. The organization is committed to empowering young people through entrepreneurship, practical skills development, mentorship and access to opportunities that support business growth and economic independence.
The maiden edition of the Opplift Youth Entrepreneurs Summit, held on 2 October 2026 at the British Council in Accra, brought together approximately 100 founders, entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs to explore entrepreneurship as a pathway to youth empowerment and job creation.
Held under the theme; “Build to Thrive: Equipping Young Entrepreneurs for Success in Ghana,” the summit featured three sessions which was facilitated by MS. Valerie Danso who served as the MC for the event. The first session featured presentations from two seasoned industry experts: Mr. Ekow Mensah and Mr. Stephen Naasei Boadi who highlighted the need of recognizing the value of one’s skill and the effective use of social media for start-ups for business growth respectively.
The second session was a panel discussion featuring Richard Ohene Sika, Fashion Educationist and Talent Manager, Josephine Toudeka, Founder of Toudeka’s Enterprise and Mr. Eugene Wilson Ocran, programs manager at opplift, moderated by Ms. Valerie Danso. The discussion explored the opportunities and challenges of entrepreneurship in Ghana while providing practical insights on building sustainable businesses.
The final session featured 12 beneficiaries who were awarded seed support alongside mentorship and entrepreneurial training to help them build profitable businesses.
THE CHALLENGE
Youth unemployment remains a significant socio-economic challenge in Ghana, highlighting the need for initiatives that equip young people with the knowledge, skills and resources to build sustainable businesses.
Beyond organising the summit, Opplift needed strategic public relations and communication support to raise awareness of the initiative, attract participants, strengthen its organisational credibility and amplify the experiences of young entrepreneurs. The challenge was to ensure that the summit’s message and impact extended beyond the event venue through effective media engagement and post-event storytelling.
OBJECTIVES
Raise awareness of youth unemployment and promote entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic empowerment and job creation.
Position Opplift as a credible organisation supporting youth entrepreneurship and sustainable business development in Ghana.
Drive awareness and participation in the maiden Opplift Youth Entrepreneurs Summit.
Amplify the stories and experiences of young entrepreneurs, speakers and selected beneficiaries through strategic storytelling.
Secure positive media coverage before, during and after the summit to extend its reach and visibility.
Highlight the summit’s practical impact, including the financial support, mentorship and training provided to 12 selected entrepreneurs.
OUR PR AND COMMUNICATION APPROACH
As the public relations agency supporting Opplift, we developed and implemented communication strategies to strengthen awareness, drive participation and position the organisation as a credible advocate for youth entrepreneurship.
Key activities included:
Developing a PR work plan and promotional content.
Coordinating invitations and communication with speakers, panelists and registered participants.
Supporting participant registration and event programme preparation.
Facilitating media attendance and on-site interviews.
Managing live social media updates and capturing key moments through photography and videography.
Developing post-event publicity materials and beneficiary stories.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUMMIT
The summit featured expert presentations on business, time management and marketing, a panel discussion with successful young entrepreneurs from the fashion, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
A major highlight was the unveiling of 12 entrepreneurs who received financial support, mentorship and training to help strengthen their businesses.
RESULTS AND IMPACT
The summit successfully brought together approximately 100 participants, creating opportunities for entrepreneurial learning, networking and business development.
KEY COMMUNICATION OUTCOMES INCLUDED
Media visibility: Post-event press coverage secured across six media outlets such as : The Ghanaian Times, Business & Financial Times, Graphic Business and Myjoyonline
Digital engagement: Photo and video recap content shared across social media platforms.
Entrepreneurial storytelling: Highlighting stories of successful entrepreneurs to encourage participants.
Stakeholder engagement: A stakeholder and sponsor report included among the post-event deliverables.
Direct business support: Twelve selected entrepreneurs received financial support, mentorship and training.
These outcomes helped extend the summit’s visibility beyond the event venue while reinforcing Opplift’s commitment to youth economic development.
CONCLUSION
The maiden Opplift Youth Entrepreneurs Summit marked an important step towards equipping young people with the knowledge, connections and resources needed to build sustainable businesses. The combination of expert insights, peer learning and direct support for 12 entrepreneurs gave practical expression to the summit’s objectives.
