It was a momentous, triumphant entry for Alhassan Koligu Hamza of Alko Shea as hundreds of enthusiastic Youths and elders of Gambaga welcomed him and his entourage to Gambaga on Sunday 1st March 2020 after emerging the overall winner of the USD 100,000 prize package of the McDan Entrepreneurship Challenge (MEC).

The MEC is the initiative of one of Ghana’s seasoned business leaders, Dr. Daniel McKorley to promote and support enterprising Ghanaian youth who have viable business propositions with the needed capital and mentorship to establish their own companies, create jobs and wealth for the economy.

The ultimate objective is to deepen the culture of entrepreneurship among the Youth and create a sustainable platform for the next generation of Ghanaian conglomerates in Africa and beyond.

After winning the USD 100,000 price package, Mr Hamza, a shea butter farmer from Gambaga in the North East Region was led by the Head of McDan Foundation, Mr Frank Oduro and Kelvin Atuguba of TEN Ghana, to officially present his award to the Chiefs and people of Gambaga in the North East Region.

At a brief ceremony in the Gambaga Community Center, Chaired by the Deputy Regional Minister of North East Region, Hon Tahiru Tia, Mr Alhassan Koligu thanked the McDan Foundation for the honour done him and pledged to work hard to expand his business beyond the shores of Ghana with the USD 100,000 received.

On his Part the Deputy Regional Minister, Hon Tia expressed his Region’s appreciation to the McDan Foundatiom for investing in shea butter production in Gambaga through Alkoh Shea and was hopeful this will help create jobs for his people.

Mr Frank Oduro congratulated Mr Hamza for emerging the overall Winner and pledged the McDan Foundation and its Chairman Dr Daniel McKorley’s support in establishing a shea butter warehousing facility with the appropriate logistics to scale up the production of Shea butter and help to create jobs and wealth for the economy.

He encouraged the Youth to participate in the season 2 of the McDan Entrepreneurship Challenge. The Minister for Local Government, Hajia Alima Mahama endorsed the McDan Entrepreneurship Challenge as a powerful tool for job creation.

Also present at the ceremony were the Representatives of the Gambaga Naa, the Regional Chief Imam, various youth groups, shea butter farmers, opinion leaders and hundreds of enthusiastic people.