Regulatory procedures remain a major barrier for young entrepreneurs seeking to enter the agribusiness sector, according to Professor Justice Bawole, former Dean of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS).

Speaking at the University of Ghana–Nkabom Southern Belt Stakeholder Dialogue on Agrifood Regulation and Youth Enterprises in Accra, Prof. Bawole said excessive bureaucracy is stifling innovation and discouraging youth-led start-ups.

He explained that while universities are encouraging students to venture into entrepreneurship, many graduates are unprepared for the demanding processes involved in business registration and compliance.

“Unfortunately, a lot of our young people do not realize early on that they must engage with regulators. They are often shocked when, after investing 200 or 1,000 cedis to start small, they are suddenly faced with multiple certification demands,” he noted.

The UGBS professor stressed that cumbersome certification requirements often cause young entrepreneurs to abandon their ventures, depriving the economy of innovation and job creation.

Speakers at the forum urged regulatory agencies to streamline procedures to make them more accessible, particularly for early-stage agribusinesses.

They argued that a friendlier regulatory environment would not only encourage youth participation but also strengthen Ghana’s food security and agricultural competitiveness.

The dialogue, organized in collaboration with Nkabom, brought together academics, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to explore ways of improving the business climate for young people in agrifood enterprises.