YIAICD
History
•
Registered in 2008 but founded in 2005 by Mr. George A. Ben-Smith and a team of
volunteers cape coast, Ghana
• Named, created and pioneered the field of community youth entrepreneurship,
including business entrepreneurship (BE) and social entrepreneurship (SE)
• The first YIAICD was held in June 2005 with teams from Moree, Asebu, Ekon,
and Amosima, effia-kwesiminstim; the program has now grown.
• Initial supporters included the African Youth Alliance, Need for Full Peace,
Seth Donkor, Fiifi Buckman, and Smithswork Computers.
• Among the current supporters are individuals, philanthropist, local
government
Philosophy
• Founded on the same premise stated by Robert F. Kennedy, who
said:
“There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why…I dream of
things that never were, and ask why not.”
YIAICD believes that the creativity and energy of youth are an untapped
resource in, and can shaping their own futures. YIAICD asks, “Why not provide
an avenue to help them create better futures? Why not help them see that they
can truly change the world?” YAC-D inspires youth to do believe that they can
contribute their knowledge, skills and energy to enhance their local and the
national community.
• YAC-D’s logo is blue and is represented by the alphabetical letter with the
letter D being carried by the two i’s. The logo is blue and green Map to
represent Mother Ghana, which provides the scarce, natural resources that all
human beings must use wisely. The letters are YIAIC and D being carried represents the
development and youthful friendship, peace and goodwill to all people. This is
meant to show how socially-responsible businesses and social entrepreneurs can
work together to build a national networks to improve the financial, human, and
social conditions in their own communities
Origin of the Name
Named by a group of four team members and George Ben-Smith at an
afternoon meeting at the home of one member with other four two of the
steam, Kenneth korley, Mary, Nancy Barns and Fiifi Buckman. After hours of
brainstorming, all agreed that the primary audience for the program should be
community youth and youth clubs, under the mentorship from tertiary
institutions. Unanimity was reached that the main goal of the community youth
clubs and teams is to create, launch and operate business and social ventures;
thus, YOUTH CAPACITY BUILDING (skill training) and ENTREPRENEURSHIP was the
most important goal, there will be a channel system created for the whole of
the community where the youth age range 10-40 years is the main focus. The
scope was quickly determined to be national before international, and hence the
national component
Finally, korley said, “Aren’t we really all about youth in the advancement of
youth capacity building and national entrepreneurship, who are guided and
mentored by older and wise members of the community?” Voila. Around the country
Established contacts in 30 districts and supports the work of over 54 youth
clubs Employs ZERO staff in each community; all staff are VOLUNTEERS in the
purest sense of the word
Legal and Financial Status
Registered under the companies code1963 act179 not-for-profit organization in the Republic of Ghana. Financed by individuals, foundations and business entrepreneurs from around the world. YIAICD accept funding from government entities and all who exists in the community we want to make better
