Tamale, 4 February, 2026- HOPin Academy, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has launched a pilot project focused on empowering young people in Northern Ghana with accredited skills and entrepreneurial support to engage in dignified work.
With youth unemployment in Ghana reaching a troubling 22.5% for ages 15 to 35 in 2024, urgent action is needed to create new opportunities for young people, especially in Northern Ghana. In response, the initiative “Empowering Youth Through Accredited Trade and Business Incubation and Development” seeks to prepare young people to emerge as a skilled workforce capable of securing decent work or launching viable businesses; ultimately contributing to local economic activity and reducing skills gaps in key sectors.
“The partnership with Mastercard Foundation further strengthens our regional influence and amplifies our ability to deliver impact at scale. As the project unfolds in Tamale, it will offer a practical and inclusive model for strengthening youth livelihoods and building long-term economic resilience,” said MacCarthy Mac-Gbathy, Founder, HOPin Academy.
The initiative will support young people aged 15 to 35 in Tamale and the wider Northern Region, particularly those who are unemployed, underemployed, or seeking more stable and rewarding career pathways. By combining accredited technical and vocational training with structured business incubation support, the project responds directly to the economic realities facing young people in the region.
Gender inclusion is central to the project’s design; up to 80% of participants are expected to be women. By equipping women with in-demand technical and entrepreneurial skills, the project aims to expand their capabilities in ways that extend beyond employment statistics to having better decision-making power and autonomy.
The training will be delivered across four accredited vocational areas approved by Ghana’s Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Garment Making, Fashion Design and Technology, Makeup Artistry, and Computer Software Development. These pathways were selected for their strong market relevance, spanning creative industries, personal services, and the digital economy, and equipping participants with practical skills that translate into real income opportunities locally and globally.
“The Mastercard Foundation recognises that skills development is essential for unlocking opportunities for young people across Africa. By partnering with HOPin Academy, the project will demonstrate what is possible when accredited skills training is paired with entrepreneurship and real market demand. We are ensuring that youth in Northern Ghana gain the practical knowledge and skills they need to transition into meaningful work,” said Abigail Mamle Teye, Program Partner, Youth Engagement.
Beyond technical instruction, the project places strong emphasis on application and enterprise. Participants will graduate with recognised qualifications and receive incubation support to transition into employment or entrepreneurship.
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For press enquires kindly contact, Josephine Awinpoka Akumbuno, Project Manager via awinpoka@hopinacademy.org
Editors Note:
About HOPin Academy
The HOPin Academy was founded in 2013 as a youth-led digital skills initiative. Over the years, the academy has evolved into a leading technology and business innovation hub with operations in three regions across Northern Ghana. HOPin has supported over 500 startups and MSMES and equipped over 10,000 youth with digital and entrepreneurial skills. The academy continues to lead in youth innovation, entrepreneurship and community development in Northern Ghana.
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. It was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard Foundation when it became a public company. The Foundation is an independent organization, and its policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by its own Board of Directors and senior leadership team. It is a registered Canadian charity with offices in Toronto, Kigali, Accra, Nairobi, Kampala, Lagos, Dakar, and Addis Ababa.