The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), through the GIMPA Business Students Association (GIBSA), has organised a Business Plan Competition as part of activities marking GIBSA Week 2026. The event held at the GB Auditorium brought together students, industry professionals, and key stakeholders to advance entrepreneurial development among students.
Held on the theme “Quality, Innovation, Connectedness,” the competition provided a platform for students to present and refine business ideas while engaging with experts from academia and industry.
Delivering a keynote address, Ahmed Ibrahim, Member of Parliament for Banda Constituency and Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, urged students to develop self-awareness as a foundation for personal and professional growth. He emphasised the need for young people to identify their strengths and unlock their potential in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.
The Dean of the GIMPA Business School, Prof. Bernard, underscored the importance of the competition as a practical learning platform. He noted that such initiatives enable students to test ideas, sharpen their business strategies, and present viable concepts to industry leaders and policymakers. He also highlighted a persistent challenge within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, stating that many promising ideas fail due to the lack of structured support systems to nurture innovation.
Other distinguished speakers at the event included Baba Adongo, Jacob E. M. Mensah, and Felicia Twumasi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Home Foods Processing and Cannery Ltd. They collectively stressed the role of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and job creation, encouraging students to adopt innovative and strategic approaches in building sustainable enterprises.
Following a series of presentations, OSCO, a clothing brand, emerged as the overall winner, receiving a cash prize of GH¢10,000. Campus Wash and Go, a student-led laundry service, placed first runner-up and was awarded GH¢7,000. In addition, all participating teams received GH¢5,000 each, sponsored by Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, to support the growth of their start-ups.
Participants described the competition as both insightful and impactful, noting that it enhanced their understanding of entrepreneurship and boosted their confidence in developing business ventures. They also expressed appreciation to the organisers and sponsors for their support.
The Business Plan Competition forms part of GIBSA’s broader commitment to promoting innovation, leadership, and enterprise development among students. It also reflects GIMPA’s ongoing efforts to equip future business leaders with the skills and mindset needed to contribute to national and global economic development.
