A new entrepreneurial initiative that aims at showcasing and telling the stories of successful entrepreneurs has been launched by Stratcomm Africa as part of the company’s 20th anniversary celebration in Accra. The initiative, “Our Story, Your Story – A Vision Pursued”, will feature these successful stories on morning shows on TV and radio and through feature columns in newspapers and on the internet.

It seeks to encourage the spirit of enterprise in Ghana and inspire young people who aspire to be entrepreneurs.

Chief Executive Officer of Stratcomm Africa Esther Cobbah said as the company commemorates 20 years, “we recognised the fact that the story of our humble beginnings and our continued strivings as a Ghanaian company is no different from the story of many other Ghanaian companies.

“We thought it useful to showcase other entrepreneurs as part of a programme of encouraging a spirit of enterprise in our country. It is our hope that as the stories of these entrepreneurs become known, they earn respect for their efforts and more people, especially the younger generation, aspire to be like them.

“They become reference points and role models that help us define our nation positively. Their stories help to enrich the entrepreneurship culture in our country.”

She added that the creativity and determination of entrepreneurs is critical for bringing about improvements to the livelihood of the whole society.

“We must therefore aim to be a country in which entrepreneurship is respected and emulated. Deepening the culture of enterprise in Ghana is the surest way of heading towards the upper-middle-income status that we aspire to as a nation.”

Since the launch of the 20th anniversary celebration in May, Stratcomm has spoken to and collated stories of a number of Ghanaian entrepreneurs at different levels of growth and focusing on their background and their initial steps in business.

Some of these stories come from the likes of Prince Kofi Amoabeng, Kwabena Adjei, Ellen Hagan, Fred Deegbe Jr., Barbara Baeta, Kofi Dadzie, Nana Adwoa Awindor, Dzigbodi Dosoo and Dr. Leticia Osafo Addo.

Ms. Cobbah said stories from the markets and others from all over Ghana will be included. She explained that several media houses have agreed to offer their platforms to showcase these stories, including the Business and Financial Times (B&FT).

In addition, the University of Ghana Business School has expressed delight about the initiative and will collaborate with Stratcomm to turn these stories into case studies to be used in the teaching of entrepreneurship at the business school.

Ramy Baiti, Head of Corporate Affairs, UT Group, commended Stratcomm Africa for boosting entrepreneurialism among Ghanaians. He however urged them to continue the effort to instil hope in Ghanaians to pursue their dreams.

James Asare-Adjei, President of the Association of Ghana Industries, said the association of is filled with all manner of entrepreneurs, big and small, who are striving daily to create new stories for themselves and their businesses despite all the severe challenges they face along the way.

“In Ghana, we have witnessed many inspiring businesses rise from scratch to prominent heights and we celebrate them and pat them on the back for weathering the storm and defying the odds. They did not get reach those heights in a single try. They tried severally.

“We are witnessing a unique event that is aimed at re-telling the story of Ghanaian entrepreneurs in a new way. Their stories will encourage, energise, inspire and compel us to support them in their chosen field of impact.”

Entrepreneurs such as Mabel Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of Msimps Accessories, and Fred Deegbe Junior, Chief Executive Officer of Heel the World Shoes, were at the function and told their stories.

Also present at the occasion were the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana Karou Yoshimura and Rev. Eddie Adiamah, Head Pastor, Lighthouse Chapel Int., Bubuashie branch.