1. Briefly tell us about yourself and your organization.
John is an entrepreneur, project management specialist, enterprise development coach, micro-credit practitioner and trainer with 12 years of experience working within NGO and business environments. He advises and trains NGOs, MSMEs and individuals in Strategic Planning and Management. John is the CEO of CELDAR, a Ghanaian NGO established as a centre for livelihood development and resilience in Ghana. The organization provides entrepreneurship training, enterprise development, coaching, skills development, and access to finance to citizens, entrepreneurs and startups in Ghana.
2. What motivated you to start your social enterprise?
Most young people after school are unable to get jobs. Those who want to venture into entrepreneurship lack the requisite skills, knowledge and funds. Additionally, most poor rural and urban women are breadwinners of their households but lack the needed capital to boost their businesses. This motivated me to start my NGO to provide entrepreneurial and financial support to these less privileged citizens.
3. So far, what has been the impact of your social enterprise?
I have trained and supported over 200 youth in entrepreneurship. I have also provided financial support to over 500 micro businesses mostly owned by women from poor households.
4. What are the major challenges you are currently facing in your social enterprise?
Limited funds to keep investing in these poor women.
5. Mention one big change you will like to see in your line of work e.g., policy change, behaviour change, institutional support, more collaboration etc.
I would like to see some improvement in the household incomes of our beneficiaries and more collaborations with local and international support organizations so that we can achieve more.
6. Do you have a final message for a budding social entrepreneur who is interested in your field of work?
I would love to work with like-minded social entrepreneurs involved in similar areas of capacity building and financial inclusion activities for people in low and middle-income community settings.
7. How can people connect with your social enterprise on social media?
They can connect with me on:
