The maiden entrepreneurship Programme, dubbed: “Student Market" the programme, was organised under the School’s Adinkrahene Leadership Programme (ALP), for students between nine and 18 years. 

The ALP, an Alpha Beta’s flagship programme has been integrated into the school’s curriculum to help students to benefit from a strong academic schedule and enriched extracurricular programmes.

Addressing the ceremony to launch the programme, Dr. Naomi Adjepong, the Director of Entrepreneurial Leadership Department (ABELD) of the School, said the School was committed to helping its students develop pragmatic leadership skills with their entrepreneurship abilities to become assets for the society.  

Dr Adjepong said the School believed that the only way Africa could achieve its economic potentials was through investing in the development of the entrepreneurial skills of young individuals, whether they intended to go into business directly or not. 

“This skill will be invaluable whichever profession they find themselves in,” she stated.

Explaining the programme concept, Dr Adjepong, who is also the Operations Manager of the ABELD, told the Ghana News Agency that, the School opened slots for students to apply for a stall at the market.      Those who applied, she said, were given an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges.

Students who were able to present clear and satisfying ideas were then selected for a four-week Business Incubator Programme and coached on Business Plans, Business Ethics, Finances, Purchasing, Production, Branding and Marketing.

Following a rather competitive and challenging interview thereafter, she said, 23 business ideas were selected for execution by the participants, who sought to do sole proprietorship, partnership, and other forms of business operation.      The launch, thus, saw more than 70 student entrepreneurs with 23 start-up companies in photography, cinema activities, video games, African accessories, jewellery, clothing, food and drinks. 

“Many of our entrepreneurs have been on a quite a journey – some have changed the name of their business multiple times; others have changed their product or service after thinking more deeply about their business idea,” she explained. Dr Adjepong announced that the students would have an opportunity to present their accounts and business reports to a Business Assessment Board, as part of monitoring and evaluation to help them improve their business. 

She explained that the assessment would help them to identify and address any lapses in their businesses to make them more viable in the next phase of the programme slated for July 4.     She also said a social enterprise concept would be integrated into the programme to help students learn how to impact the community around them, explaining that business was not just about making profit but also about impacting the society positively. 

While commending the students for their output, Mrs Florence Adjepong, the Principal of the School, said: “These kids have exceeded our expectations. When we first came out with the idea and asked them to participate, some of them came out with very brilliant ideas but others had very immature ones.  “We helped them to develop and improve the ideas and get their business plans together, but I never thought they would embrace it and run with it the way they have done it.’’

Mrs Adjepong said the development was an indication that Ghana had future industrious entrepreneurs in Alpha Beta Learning Centres.      Master George Tettey, a Form Two Student, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yolo Cinema, one of the successful applicants, expressed his confidence in the programme. 

“I know this programme would help me realise my business potentials,” he said. “At least, I can grow this company through this programme and make it a part-time business.’’ Maame Yaa Appiah, the CEO of Afriique, a producer of African Jewellery and Clothing, said the Student Market Programme was deepening her understanding of business set ups and its operations.

Meanwhile, nine-year old Ohemaa Brago Akosua Appiah, who is the CEO of Beauty Spring Accessories, dealers in assorted jewellery, said the programme would help her shape her leadership skills.“I am learning how to lead a team as the CEO of my company. I think this programme would help us grow into good future leaders,” the youngster said.