Total, a major oil marketing company, has announced 16 candidates in its 2018-2019 ‘Startupper of the Year’ Challenge.

This follows the process of shortlisting entries submitted to the 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge in Ghana.

In a release copied to B&FT, the company said the 16 projects were selected out of over 1,197 applicants through a questionnaire and a ‘Share for Likes’ voting phase, before being reviewed by social business professionals.

The shortlisted candidates include: Abdul Malik Jabel Yusif, Education, Psyche Academy; Agyei Mensah, Technology, DEAFCANTALK; Akwasi Asamoah, Food & Nutrition, Jartogo mobile kitchen; Albert Koomson, Human Capital, Rook+; Alice Amoako, Education & Technology, Autism Aid App; Anna Abadoo-Brew, Health, Routine BP check, a life saver; Dennis Nyarko, Food and Nutrition, Caribbean Medley Beverages; Enoch Aryeetey, AgriBusiness, Unveilling Gains in Food losses; and Eunice Kloe, Renewable Energy, Bidigreen.

The rest are: Isaac Danso Asiedu, AgriBusiness, AGRO SOURCING; Jacob Amengor, Sanitation, iWASH Africa; Maame Ekua Manful, Food and Nutrition, Sweetpot Yoghurt; Makafui Awuku, Recycling & Waste Management, Sankofa Plastic Waste Bins; Naomi Boachie-Yiadom, AgriBusiness, WESHEA Growth Project; Padiki Bukari, Technology & Agriculture, QualiTrace; and Selasie Garvey, AgriBusiness, SOCIALFARM.

The 16 finalists will pitch their projects on 8th February 2019. They will receive coaching before presenting to the local jury, made up of Eric Fanchini, Total Petroleum Ghana Limited-Managing Director; Rexford Adomako Bonsu, Worldwide Co. Ltd.-CEO; Tonyi Senayah, Horseman Shoes-CEO; Ivy Barley, Developers in Vogue/Google Mentorship for Empowering Women in ICT-CEO; and Margaret Takyi Micah, NEST of IDEAS-CEO.

Others are: Joshua Ayinbora, Groital Company Limited-CEO; George Acheampong, UGBS/Leader for LEAD (Legon Enterprise Development Laboratory)-Lecturer; Richard Nunekpeku, Anyako Farms-CEO; Petra Sanyamahwe, Give-Back Africa Project-Director; Daniel Sarpong, Global Mentorship Network/Tonaton-Chairman/Head, Digital Strategy; Sandra Abrokwah Owusu Kyeremanten, Viamo Technologies-Country Director; and John Armah, IriOS Group-CEO.

After the final selection process today, February 8, 2019, the jury will announce the three winners of 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge in Ghana on 1st March 2019 during a celebration event.

The winners will receive financial support of up to GH¢90,000 for the 1st winner; GH¢54,000 for the 2nd winner, GH¢36,000 for the 3rd winner – and personalised support and coaching from Total Petroleum Ghana Limited and a communications campaign to publicise their projects.

There will also be a Top Female Entrepreneur award for one of the finalists to support her project.

“The 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge, held simultaneously in 55 countries1 — 37 of which are in Africa, 11 in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region, 4 in the Americas, and 3 in Europe — reaffirms Total’s commitment to social and economic development in host countries worldwide.

“By helping innovative young entrepreneurs to realise their projects, the Challenge strengthens the local social fabric,” the statement added.