British Conservative Party volunteer launches business competition
British businessman and Conservative Party member Stephen Ogden was in Sierra Leone this week to launch an innovative new business competition – ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Future’. (Photo: Mr Stephen Ogden, in Freetown, Sierra Leone)
Businessman Mr. Ogden is inviting budding Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs under the age of 25 to enter the competition. The final round will be held in Freetown on Friday July 20, 2012. To enter participators need to submit a 1-page summary of a business idea, to be based in Sierra Leone, by email. The entrepreneurs with the best ideas will be invited to an event on Friday July 20th where they will have 15 minutes to present their ideas to a panel of British businesspeople.
Mr. Ogden will be in Sierra Leone in July 2012 as part of the Conservative Party’s Project Umubano. This is a social action programme run by British volunteers. It was established in 2007 by British Prime Minister David Cameron and by Andrew Mitchell, the Minister for International Development.
Businessman Mr Ogden said: “Young entrepreneurs are the future of Sierra Leone. In the long-term, small and medium-sized businesses will be the driving force of the economy. There are huge opportunities for entrepreneurs and business in your country. Together, we should encourage innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and hard work.
“I encourage as many budding students and other young people to enter this competition. It is an opportunity for the youth of Sierra Leone to air their ideas to a wider audience. It will also give valuable experience to youngsters in making written and verbal presentations. We will be on hand to advise, encourage and mentor the owners of the best proposals.”
Stephen Crabb- Conservative MP, Leader of Project Umubano, said:
“The Conservative Party values enormously the strong relationship between the UK and Sierra Leone. I am delighted that my colleague Stephen Ogden has launched this business initiative for young entrepreneurs as part of Project Umubano this year. It reflects a real optimism about Sierra Leone’s economic future.”
Any Sierra Leonean person under 25 can enter the Young Entrepreneur of the Future by contacting Stephen Ogden on: stephen.ogden1@googlemail.com to receive a competition entry form. The closing date for entries is Monday July 16, 2012.
Project Umubano is the Conservative Party’s social action project in Sierra Leone & Rwanda. The Project is taking place for the sixth year in 2012 with expanded teams going to both Sierra Leone and Rwanda. Around 120 volunteers have joined the Project, which is entirely self-funded.
Set up in 2007 by the Prime Minister David Cameron and Andrew Mitchell MP, Project Umubano is the first time a British political party has engaged in a social action project in Africa.
Led by Conservative MPs, the project reaches into a diverse range of areas. Volunteer work in core areas of Sport, Education, Business, Community Development, Health and Justice.
Mr. Gden is a Director of oil & gas company Volga Gas plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. He has business interests in several developing countries, including Russia and Turkey. He believes that the African continent will be the great success story of the next 30 years.
By FADDA BAKISH
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