“Youth unemployment and weak business foundations hold back changemakers in Ghana and beyond, but local leaders like Elisha are building the solutions”.
Meet Elisha Kukua, a TBI Country Trustee and a Ghanaian civil servant and social innovator whose journey spans public service, global collaboration, and grassroots empowerment. In a recent interview, he shared not only insights on tackling youth unemployment and supporting entrepreneurs, but also timeless advice: true success begins with humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to learn. His perspective is a powerful reminder that building impact is as much about attitude and integrity as it is about funding or strategy.
The Role of a Country Trustee
Elisha serves as a trusted local advisor for The Bridge International (TBI). In this role, he supports TBI’s crowdfunding projects, participates in key events, and builds global–local partnerships. This ensures that TBI’s work remains deeply rooted in the local context and leadership. He was initially drawn to TBI because of its focus on
cultural exchange and technology transfer between Korea and Ghana. He also saw great potential for Korean businesses to grow in Ghana, with TBI providing a platform to make those connections happen.
Tackling Ghana’s Biggest Social Challenges
According to Elisha, youth unemployment is one of the most urgent challenges facing Ghana. He explains that it’s more than just an economic issue; it’s tied to environmental crimes, illegal mining, and other social problems. When young people lack access to opportunities, they can be pushed into risky or harmful activities. For him, solving youth unemployment is the first step to breaking that cycle.
He is a passionate advocate for agriculture, a field close to his heart. Having grown up on a farm, he has seen firsthand how agriculture can create jobs, stabilize economies, and ensure food security. He is particularly interested in bringing Korean agricultural technology to Ghana to strengthen the entire value chain, from production to getting products to market.
Advice for Social Entrepreneurs
Elisha notes that a common challenge for early-stage social entrepreneurs is struggling with the fundamentals of business management, including financial literacy, human resource management, and governance structures. This is where many need support.
He advises that the first and most important step for an entrepreneur is developing the right attitude and self-awareness. This means being honest about what you don’t know and being open to learning. He stresses that once those gaps are identified, it’s much easier to find the right resources, whether they are government programs, online tools, or support from organizations like TBI.
The Importance of Humility and Integrity
For Elisha, success starts with humility and a willingness to grow. This perspective extends to partnerships and integrity, which he believes are built on trust and a shared vision for impact. He encourages changemakers to always act with integrity and to work with partners who share their values.
Elisha’s message for changemakers around the world is clear: stay focused on the right ideas, align your energy with your purpose, and remember why you started. He advises against putting money or profit ahead of the needs and well-being of the community. He believes that focusing on providing quality products and services will generate communal trust, which in turn creates value and profit for the changemakers. He also stresses the importance of mental and emotional well-being, noting that it’s just as vital as funding or strategy.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, Elisha has ambitious plans. In the next five years, he wants to advance in the civil service to a position where he can make bigger contributions to national policy and development. He also plans to invest in agricultural business opportunities, particularly in community farming projects that balance profitability with social impact.
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