Kinbu S.H.S. Wins The Fidelity Bank Prince’s Trust International Enterprise Challenge Pitch Finals | Education

Prince’s Trust International (PTI), in partnership with Fidelity Bank Ghana and Environment 360, has held the final pitch of the Enterprise Challenge, a program that seeks to introduce Senior Secondary School students to business and entrepreneurship concepts. Described by Forbes as one of the “five leading global programs supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs”, Enterprise Challenge, working with young people to develop business ideas that positively impact environmental issues in the community.

Prince’s Trust International was founded by Prince Charles III, formerly Prince of Wales, to help tackle the global crisis in youth unemployment. The organization works with local partners in 18 countries to provide employment, education and entrepreneurship programs, including Enterprise Challenges.

As well as inspiring entrepreneurial spirit and equipping young people with the skills-sets and knowledge needed to run a company, the main objective of the program is to encourage young people to be responsive and socially responsible, by channeling their creative talents to make a positive impact on their society. In addition, the program is aimed at developing the participants’ confidence and providing them with experienced guidance so that they can make informed decisions about their future.

The inclusion of a climate literacy module provides participants with the principles of sustainable development and the importance of considering environmental impacts alongside profits. Supported by business mentors, young participants explore the stages of setting up and running a business through a digital business simulation game.

Twenty-five (25) teams participated in the 2022/23 edition of the program with five teams eventually selected for the finals. The five finalists were then given four sessions with a green business mentor to support each team to finetune their business idea with special emphasis on cost and profit structure, as well as effective sales pitching techniques before the final event.

Speaking at the event, the founder of Fidelity Bank and member of the Advisory Board of Prince’s Trust International Africa, Mr. Edward Effah, expressed his happiness with the perseverance and business acumen demonstrated by the students. “Looking at the ideas presented by the students today, I can say that Ghana really has a bright future. The ability of these young people to develop environmentally friendly green business ideas and the confidence with which they express their ideas is quite impressive. I am very impressed with the level environmental awareness, and I believe the program will help Ghana and Africa achieve the SDGs.

The five (5) teams that participated in the finals included Team Mervs from Kinbu SHS, Team Doyen from Sacred Heart SHS, Teams Texco and Flow from His Majesty’s SHS and Team Phoenix from Brainy Brain SHS.

The winning pitch came from an all-female team from Kinbu SHS. He presented an innovative green business concept to convert palm kernel waste, which is produced from the manufacture of palm oil, into briquettes to replace the use of charcoal and wood fuels. This environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cooking fuel is compact and smokeless and has no harmful effects on human health.

Among other pluses, the panel of judges were impressed that the product is ready for the market with a direct customer base and a broad potential.

For the prize, the team received seed money from Fidelity Bank to start the business registration process and build the business idea and become a viable commercial entity. Presenting the funding to the team, Fidelity Bank’s Head of Digital Marketing and Brand, Eric Frempong Amponsah stated, “Fidelity Bank is proud to partner with Prince’s Trust International in this program. Serving the community is one of our core values ​​and education is the main pillar of our social impact initiative. We looking forward to working with Prince’s Trust International on future projects.