A Ghanaian scholar, Bernard Kwamena Cobbina Essel, has earned international recognition after winning the Best Presenter Award at the 6th International Multidisciplinary Conference for Young Researchers (MCYR 2025), held at the Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague in October 2025.
MCYR is organized by the BioResources & Technology Division of the Faculty of Tropical Agronomy at the Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, and attracts early-career researchers from across the globe.
The conference focused on innovative research spanning science, technology, and social development.
Strong analytical depth
According to organizers, Essel’s work stood out for its clarity, originality, and ability to engage a diverse international audience.
Essel received the award for his research paper titled “Key Factors for Achieving Business Success Among Young Entrepreneurs: Insights from Ghana,” which impressed the jury for its strong analytical depth and practical relevance.
His presentation clearly articulated complex research findings while offering real-world solutions to challenges facing young entrepreneurs.
The study highlights key drivers of entrepreneurial success among Ghanaian youth, including access to finance, mentorship, education, supportive policies, and strong social networks.
These findings provide valuable, evidence-based insights that could help shape policies and programmes aimed at strengthening youth-led enterprises in Ghana.
Global relevance
The award recognizes not only his effective presentation style but also the broader global relevance of his research.
By shedding light on both the challenges and opportunities confronting young entrepreneurs in Ghana, Essel’s research offers practical guidance for policymakers, educators, and aspiring business owners.
His achievement marks a proud moment for Ghana, underscoring the growing impact of the country’s emerging scholars on the global academic stage and inspiring the next generation of researchers and innovators.
Inspiration
In an exclusive interview with rbnewshub.com, Essel said his research was inspired by the high levels of youth unemployment in Ghana and concerned about food loss and waste during glut seasons.
“I see this as a significant opportunity for young entrepreneurs to transform surplus produce into value-added products, create jobs and boost Ghana’s local economy”, he said and added that his findings show that business success among young entrepreneurs is more dependent on experience, mentoring and association membership than on access to credit alone.
“In fact, access to credit had a negative effect on profit and employment when it was not accompanied by skills and guidance. This suggests that financing without mentorship and training can hinder business performance.”
“The study highlights the need to move beyond youth entrepreneurship programmes that focus solely on giving of loans. Governments and stakeholders should prioritize mentoring, training and peer networks, alongside well-designed financial support, to help young entrepreneurs build sustainable, job-creating businesses.”
Addressing gaps
Touching on what practical steps government and stakeholders should prioritise to address gaps in access to finance, among others, he proposed that governments and stakeholders should move away from credit-only entrepreneurship programs and adopt integrated support systems.
According to him, his findings show that finance works best when combined with mentoring, training, and gradual, well-structured funding rather than standalone loans.
“First, access to finance should be redesigned to include financial literacy, mentorship, and phased funding tied to business performance. Second, mentorship should be institutionalised by linking young entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders through structured national programs. Third, policy support should strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems by supporting business associations, incubators, and innovation hubs that promote networking, partnerships, and peer learning.”
Policy-relevant studies
On how this recognition could shape his future academic and professional goals, and what message he has for young Ghanaian researchers and entrepreneurs, Essel noted that winning the Best Presenter Award is both an honour and a responsibility as it has strengthened his commitment to producing policy-relevant studies that addresses real challenges facing young entrepreneurs in Ghana and beyond.
“To young Ghanaian researchers and entrepreneurs, my message is simple: your ideas matter. Your local experiences are a strength, not a limitation, and with persistence, discipline, and impact-driven work, you can compete and succeed”, he added.
