TechTown 2026: Koforidua's Youth Innovation Marketplace
The Eastern Tech Hub Foundation (ETHF) hosted the TechTown Community Marketplace 2026 in Koforidua, driving youth innovation and sustainable business growth. Supported by Fondation Botnar, the initiative equips young Ghanaians and artisans with digital skills, financial literacy, and interest-free revolving capital. This is a clear signal that African entrepreneurship, backed by strategic partnerships, is the surest path to economic freedom.
How is Koforidua becoming a hub for youth innovation?
On Thursday, June 25, the Koforidua Cultural Centre transformed into a vibrant business hub. The event operated under the powerful theme, "A Marketplace of Ideas. A Marketplace of Skills. A Marketplace of Opportunity." Entrepreneurs, development partners, financial institutions, and government agencies gathered to promote skills development and sustainable enterprise growth.
Isaac Agbetey Akutey, Executive Director of the Eastern Tech Hub Foundation, emphasized that this event marks a major milestone in a three-year effort. The goal is to turn Koforidua into one of Ghana's leading digitally empowered cities through the OurCity Project, funded by Fondation Botnar.
Akutey explained that the initiative started with digital skills training for young people in software development and user experience design. It then expanded into schools through robotics clubs and innovation competitions, challenging students to solve community problems. The programme later expanded to artisans and small business owners, equipping them with financial literacy, digital marketing, and business model development skills.
What makes the TechTown revolving support model unique?
Instead of relying on outright donations that create dependency, the Foundation implemented an interest-free revolving support system. This model identifies equipment gaps among trainees and provides the tools needed to expand their businesses.
"If an entrepreneur requires a sewing machine or any other equipment after assessment, we provide it through an interest-free revolving support system. Beneficiaries repay gradually, allowing the fund to support other entrepreneurs within the community," Akutey explained.
This is the kind of transparent, sustainable financing that drives real economic reform. It ensures that capital keeps circulating within the community, multiplying its impact without burdening new entrepreneurs with high interest rates. For the Ghanaian diaspora looking to invest back home, this model offers a proven, accountable framework for supporting local talent.
Are public and private sectors aligning on youth employment?
The business community and government agencies are clearly aligning their priorities. Evelyn Enyonam Lotsu, Eastern Regional Director of the National Youth Authority, commended the Eastern Tech Hub Foundation for creating a platform that matches the Authority's mandate. She noted that when young people have relevant skills and opportunities, they become drivers of innovation and economic growth.
Emmanuel Asante, Eastern Regional Coordinator of the National Apprenticeship Programme, delivered a practical reality check. He stated that government alone cannot solve unemployment. Partnerships with organizations like the Eastern Tech Hub Foundation are essential.
Asante urged parents to encourage their children to acquire vocational and entrepreneurial skills, noting that reliance on white-collar employment is no longer sustainable. He shared concrete data: the National Apprenticeship Programme enrolled approximately 1,200 apprentices and engaged 240 master craftspersons in the Eastern Region last year. Government interventions are actively working to reduce the financial burdens of training materials and apprenticeship fees.
Dr. Dorcas Salamatu Alhassan, Eastern Region Centre Manager of the Centre for National Culture, reinforced this stance. She described technology and digital entrepreneurship as essential tools for employment creation and national development, encouraging participants to continuously acquire new skills for alternative income streams.
How are local entrepreneurs transforming their businesses?
The real success of any initiative lies in the impact on the ground. Rebecca Ababio, a human hair producer and beneficiary of the entrepreneurship training programme, shared her success story. She said the training significantly improved her business management skills, providing practical knowledge in financial management, stock control, customer relations, and digital marketing.
Ababio appealed for additional financial support to enable small businesses to expand and increase production. This is precisely where diaspora investors and international banking partners can step in to scale these proven micro-businesses.
The presence of key institutional leaders underscored the strong backing for this movement. Attendees included Eric K. Obeng of the Ghana Enterprise Agency, Boama Owusu-Ansah of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Municipal Chief Executive Ransford Owusu Boakye. Representatives from Access Bank Ghana and GTBank Ghana also attended, signaling solid banking sector support for youth entrepreneurship.
What is the TechTown Community Marketplace?
The TechTown Community Marketplace is an annual event organized by the Eastern Tech Hub Foundation. It brings together entrepreneurs, government agencies, and financial institutions in Koforidua to showcase products, build partnerships, and access mentorship and financial support.
How does the interest-free revolving support system work?
The Eastern Tech Hub Foundation assesses equipment needs for trained entrepreneurs and provides items like sewing machines through an interest-free revolving support system. Beneficiaries repay the cost gradually, which allows the fund to recycle capital and support other entrepreneurs in the community.
How many apprentices did the National Apprenticeship Programme support in the Eastern Region last year?
Last year, the National Apprenticeship Programme enrolled approximately 1,200 apprentices and engaged 240 master craftspersons in the Eastern Region of Ghana.