The Africa Entrepreneurship Dialogue (AfED) reviews NDC and NPP’s manifestoes on Ghana’s startup ecosystem

The Africa Entrepreneurship Dialogue (AfED) has been at the forefront of advocating for policies that support entrepreneurship across Africa. With a strong focus on Ghana’s economic landscape, AfED launched the Ghana Startup Act Advocacy in 2018, which played a significant role in shaping discussions around the country’s startup ecosystem.

In the lead-up to Ghana’s upcoming elections, the Ghana Startup Manifesto Index (GSMI) has become an essential barometer for evaluating the effectiveness of political manifestos in supporting entrepreneurs. Developed by AfED and led by Justice Offei Jr, the GSMI provides a comprehensive, data-driven evaluation of political manifestos, focusing on their potential to drive sustainable job creation and economic growth.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto has been evaluated using the Ghana Startup Manifesto Index (GSMI) and received a score of 78%, placing it in the ‘Adequate’ category. This assessment suggests that while the manifesto offers a solid foundation for supporting entrepreneurship, there is significant room for improvement to ensure lasting and widespread impact.The Legal Framework section scored 75%, reflecting an adequate approach to addressing the legal and regulatory challenges faced by entrepreneurs. The proposed reforms are practical but lack the depth needed to fully address complex legal issues.

The Funding section earned a commendable score of 87.5%, indicating a strong understanding of the financial barriers to entrepreneurship. The manifesto proposes a variety of funding sources and mechanisms, though more innovative solutions could further enhance this section.The Infrastructure Support and Impact sections each scored 75%, highlighting that while the manifesto covers essential aspects of infrastructure and potential impact, it does so without the innovation and comprehensive planning needed to fully support entrepreneurial growth.The Feasibility score of 75% suggests that while the proposed policies are practical, their implementation may face challenges without more detailed planning and risk mitigation strategies.

In conclusion, the NDC manifesto provides a strong starting point for supporting the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ghana. However, for it to truly drive significant economic growth and development, it requires more innovative solutions, in-depth analysis, and clearer implementation strategies.

AfED emphasizes the importance of transforming these basic policies into actionable plans that can effectively drive economic growth and job creation. The report calls on political leaders to refine their proposals, ensuring that they not only set goals but also outline clear, feasible steps to achieve them.

The Africa Entrepreneurship Dialogue (AfED) is a dynamic policy think tank composed of young experts from various sectors. Since its inception, AfED has been committed to advocating for positive changes that enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa. In 2018, AfED made significant strides with the launch of the Ghana Startup Act Advocacy, a movement that has since influenced policy discussions across the nation.

As Ghana approaches a pivotal election period, the Ghana Startup Manifesto Index (GSMI) has emerged as a critical tool for assessing the commitment of political leaders to fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. Developed by AfED and led by Justice Offei Jr, the GSMI provides a comprehensive, data-driven evaluation of political manifestos, focusing on their potential to drive sustainable job creation and economic growth.

The Africa Entrepreneurship Dialogue (AfED) has released its latest evaluation of the NPP’s manifesto through the Ghana Startup Manifesto Index (GSMI), revealing that the policies proposed score a ‘Basic’ 68%.

The GSMI, a tool designed to assess political manifestos based on their support for the startup ecosystem, underscores the need for more robust and detailed strategies to foster entrepreneurship in Ghana.The evaluation highlights that while the NPP’s manifesto touches on critical areas like funding and infrastructure, the lack of detailed implementation plans and comprehensive strategies hinders its potential impact.The manifesto’s legal framework received a score of 63%, indicating gaps in clarity and regulatory support essential for startup growth.

AfED emphasizes the importance of transforming these basic policies into actionable plans that can effectively drive economic growth and job creation. The report calls on political leaders to refine their proposals, ensuring that they not only set goals but also outline clear, feasible steps to achieve them.   

You can request for the full report via officialafed@gmail.com