Junior achievement Ghana and swiss Re foundation organizes start up training in Accra

Non-profit organization, Junior Achievement Ghana in collaboration with Swiss Re foundation from Switzerland and Aiducation International have trained some 48 tertiary students on start ups in Accra.

Dubbed "Swiss Re academy", the program was centered around start up ideas , entrepreneurship, team work and time management.

The academy which was marked under the theme "building people. Building nations" drew mentors and coaches from Ghana, Switzerland, UK and other foreign countries.

Delivering her opening remarks at the academy, the CEO of JA Africa, Elizabeth Bintliff asked young people especially ladies to speak out loud with all braveness to create an impact in society.

"you're an entrepreneur not because you chose to but rather you have to. When you're desperate you become more vulnerable but Be bold, brave and be confidence because life is more fulfilling when you impact the community that you live in", Elizabeth advised.

Being it 16th edition globally and the first in Ghana, Some mentoring sessions and lectures delivered covered how to Pitch as a startup in front of investors, Customer needs, solutions, and unique selling proposition (USP's).

Other topics treated include Business model and its factors which constitute cost and revenue structure of a firm, customer segmentation, targeting, distribution channels among others.

The participants were also taken through Sales, marketing and marketing analysis thus surveying the market and providing customer's need.

Basic book keeping records, team work, Negotiating and influencing skills, in addition to time management were also tackled.

Meanwhile Ahmed Adam who speak on behalf of the managing director of Swiss Re, Carl Christensen revealed the initiative was to empower young start ups in emerging countries.

"Empowering start ups. The main objective and things we look out for in this program is to try and partner with organizations that are working in countries and regions that are emerging but are underprivileged but brilliant and try to find a way to support them.''

Mr. Adam stated that the curricula for the academy was structured in a way that it will give a consistency of content across all regions and countries that Swiss Re foundation will be operating.

Ahmed however advised the participants to be responsible and take everything learnt as a tool and implement it systematically in their business.

Some participants also shared their views after the event.

Cecilia Ayileoh Nmaah a participant after the academy said "the impact that Swiss Re Start Up Academy brought into my life , is they making me understand the importance of Unique Selling Propositions in every business".

Isabel Damernorkie Akwadah recounting how she benefited from Swiss Re Academy noted that she got "so much knowledge on entrepreneurship. It taught me how to use a systematic approach in translating my business ideas into practice for optimum performance.

The teams created helped me know more about being a team player. Thanks so much Swiss Re."

Swiss Re Academy enlightened me on teamwork and how to be a team player!
I'm happy I took part", Isaac Asare a participant added.

The program was for a week and it was funded and supported by Swiss Re foundation a non profit organization from Switzerland.

The academy was for a week and it started on January 21st and ended on Friday 25th 2018.