Accra, 11th August, 2024 – The Africa Entrepreneurship Dialogue (AfED) is proud to announce the launch of the Ghana Startup Manifesto Index (GSMI), a groundbreaking initiative designed to objectively assess the commitment of political parties and leaders to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting the startup ecosystem in Ghana.
This innovative index aims to serve as a benchmark for evaluating how effectively political manifestos address the needs of entrepreneurs, with a focus on promoting sustainable job creation and driving economic growth.
The Need for the Ghana Startup Manifesto Index
In recent years, Ghana has emerged as a hub for entrepreneurial activity, with a vibrant startup ecosystem that has the potential to significantly contribute to the country’s economic development. However, the success of these startups is heavily influenced by the policy environment in which they operate.
Recognizing this, AfED has developed the GSMI to ensure that political leaders and policymakers are held accountable for their commitments to creating an enabling environment for startups.
The GSMI will provide a transparent, data-driven assessment of political manifestos, offering entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders an objective tool to gauge the viability and impact of proposed policies.
By highlighting best practices and identifying gaps, the GSMI will also serve as a catalyst for informed dialogue between the entrepreneurial community and policymakers.
Assessment Criteria: A Comprehensive Evaluation
The GSMI will evaluate political manifestos based on five key criteria that are critical to the success of startups:
- Legal Framework: Assessing the clarity, comprehensiveness, and supportiveness of proposed legal frameworks for startups.
- Funding: Evaluating the accessibility of capital and incentives for investors as outlined in the manifestos.
- Infrastructure Support: Measuring the proposals for improving both physical and digital infrastructure to support startup growth.
- Impact: Analyzing the potential of proposed policies to create jobs and drive economic growth.
- Feasibility: Assessing the practicality and clarity of the implementation plans for proposed policies.
Each criterion will be scored on a scale, with the total score reflecting the overall commitment to fostering a robust startup ecosystem.
The GSMI will then translate these scores into an index that categorizes manifestos as “Exceptional,” “Strong,” “Adequate,” etc in terms of their support for entrepreneurship.
A Collaborative and Inclusive Process
The development and implementation of the GSMI is a collaborative effort involving a diverse panel of experts from various fields, including policy analysis, entrepreneurship, law, finance, infrastructure, and economic development.
These experts have been carefully selected to ensure that the index is both rigorous and reflective of the real needs of the entrepreneurial community.
AfED is committed to ensuring that the GSMI is inclusive and representative of all voices within the startup ecosystem.
To this end, we have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and academic institutions, to ensure that the index is both credible and widely accepted.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of GSMI
As we approach the upcoming electoral cycle, the GSMI will play a crucial role in shaping the national discourse on entrepreneurship.
By providing a clear and objective assessment of political manifestos, the GSMI will empower voters, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to make informed decisions.
Moreover, the index will encourage political leaders to prioritize the needs of the startup community, ultimately leading to more effective and impactful policies.
AfED is excited to launch the Ghana Startup Manifesto Index and looks forward to working with all stakeholders to foster a more supportive environment for entrepreneurship in Ghana. We believe that the GSMI will not only enhance transparency and accountability in the political process but also contribute to the growth and sustainability of the startup ecosystem in Ghana.
About Africa Entrepreneurship Dialogue (AfED)
The Africa Entrepreneurship Dialogue (AfED) is a leading think tank dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa.
Through research, advocacy, and collaboration, AfED seeks to create an enabling environment for startups and SMEs, driving economic growth and sustainable development across the continent.
For more information about the Ghana Startup Manifesto Index (GSMI) or to participate in the initiative, please contact: 0245719992.
