Youth central to Ghana’s economic transformation

Tara Squire, Ecobank’s Executive Director and Regional Head of Consumer Banking

Young people remain central to Ghana’s economic transformation, Tara Squire has said, stressing the need for sustained support systems to help youth-led enterprises grow and succeed.

Speaking on at the Youth Economic Forum held on February 26, 2026, Tara Squire, Ecobank’s Executive Director and Regional Head of Consumer Banking, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development.

Squire noted that youth development continues to be a strategic priority, with dedicated institutional structures in place to support young entrepreneurs and strengthen their participation in the economy.

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According to the address, specialised teams are tasked with managing youth-focused programmes and providing guidance to young business owners seeking to build sustainable enterprises.

Tara Squire emphasised that Ghana’s future growth and that of Africa more broadly, depends largely on the opportunities created for young people, particularly in sectors such as agribusiness, technology, education, and healthcare.

The speech highlighted persistent challenges confronting young entrepreneurs, explaining that business failures are often linked not only to limited access to finance but also to weak organisational structures and inadequate support systems.

Squire indicated that ongoing efforts are focused on providing appropriate financial frameworks and digital tools to help young entrepreneurs strengthen business sustainability and scale their operations.

The address also called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to deepen financial inclusion and build a supportive ecosystem that enables young people to translate ideas into viable businesses.

Participants at the forum were encouraged to be proactive and confident in sharing their ideas, with young people urged to take advantage of opportunities available through entrepreneurship and innovation.

PAH/MA