Springboard Road Show Foundation has unveiled its groundbreaking Empower 360 initiative, a comprehensive program designed to boost economic opportunities for young women and persons with disabilities in Ghana’s agricultural and ATVET sector. The initiative, part of the broader Ghana Grows Program, marks a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity in agricultural entrepreneurship. The program kicked off with its pilot session from December 16 to December 20, 2024, at the ICGC New Wine Temple in East Legon, Accra. Twenty-four participants received specialized training from the Ghana Grows mushroom farming module, facilitated by Emmanuel Twene, CEO of Sabet Agri Consult/QET Organic Farms, a Youth-Led Organisation under the Empower 360 initiative. “Empower 360 represents our commitment to ensuring no one is left behind in this mindset shift program” said Comfort Ocran, Executive Director of Springboard Road Show Foundation. The initiative specifically targets Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs), who demonstrate strong digital presence and growth potential, and women and persons with disabilities under 35 who are passionate about starting a business. The program comes in five parts which include identification of YLOs, capacity building of YLOs, signing of MOU, job creation training for participants, and practical support through starter packs. Selected Youth-Led Organizations undergo a 3-day capacity building training program, culminating in a formal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding with Springboard Road Show Foundation. The Ghana Federation of Persons with Disability, Food and Drugs Authority, Corporate Social Responsibility and Tax Services, and Axis Human Capital have partnered with the initiative to provide comprehensive training in regulatory compliance, ethical business practices, and leadership development. To ensure sustained impact, the program implements a robust support system featuring e-mentoring, physical visits by zonal coordinators, and weekly online community interactions to track the progress and impact of participating ventures.

Changing Narratives is a powerful collection of nearly 200 success and impact stories from young people and persons with disabilities in the Ghana Grows Program. Through resilience, innovation, and determination, these individuals are transforming their lives and communities. Their journeys—filled with challenges, breakthroughs, and triumphs—offer inspiration and proof that change is possible. Explore their stories and be inspired to dream, act, and grow. Click this link for the whole book: https://bit.ly/3U6xazY

Kumasi – 29th October 2024, Springboard Road Show Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association (GNTDA) to equip over 90,000 young women, men, and persons with disabilities with the needed skills and personal and career development resources to thrive within the technical and vocational skills industry. The initiative is part of the Ghana Grows Program, a collaboration between the Mastercard Foundation and Springboard Road Show Foundation aimed at supporting young people between 15 to 35 years especially,  women and persons with disabilities to find decent and viable jobs within the agriculture, agribusiness and Agriculture Technical Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) sectors. This partnership aims to equip current and prospective members of the GNTDA, empowering them to become more productive and resourceful individuals. The efforts focus on inspiring young GNTDA apprentices and Mastercraft persons to recognize the potential for growth and innovation within Ghana’s TVET industry. In an interview, Comfort Ocran, Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation noted, “We want to see every young tailor and dressmaker reach their full potential, not just for themselves but for their families and Ghana as a whole. Our joy is full when we are able to help young people thrive and become meaningful individuals with viable jobs contributing to the development of our nation.” By joining forces with GNTDA, Springboard, through the Ghana Grows Program, will deepen awareness about the vast opportunities within the technical and vocational skills sector and provide all members with learning, mentoring, and training opportunities as well as psychosocial support from professional counsellors.  Mrs. Joana Eshun Mensah, the National President of GNTDA, encouraged members of the association to take advantage of the support from the foundation, “These kinds of opportunities only come once in a while. I entreat all members of GNTDA to utilize this opportunity from Springboard Road Show Foundation to the fullest. I believe it will be beneficial to us all.” For over 16 years, the Springboard Road Show Foundation has focused on investing in the skills and well-being of youth. In collaboration with its partners, including Lyme Haus, Axis Human Capital, Meraki Arts Africa, the Ghana Psychological Association, Ghana TVET Service, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters, Young and Vibe and over a hundred others, the foundation aims to provide comprehensive support. Comfort Ocran concluded by encouraging all Mastercraft persons and apprentices under GNTDA to be onboarded to participate in the program and fully participate in all the interventions being rolled out nationwide.

Chief of Akwamu Adumasa, Nana Ansah Kwao IV, has urged leaders of businesses and organizations to harness the creative power of dyslexia by putting more dyslexics on their boards, management, and innovative units. He cited a recent study that revealed that 40% of millionaires in the United Kingdom are dyslexic. The report credited this to the uncanny ability of dyslexics to solve complex problems and anticipate market trends. Nana Ansah Kwao, who is also a broadcast journalist and host of the talk show, That’s My Opinion, on Joy FM, was a panelist in discussion on ‘The Triumphs of Dyslexia’ on Springboard Your Virtual University, hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. In her contribution, dyslexia campaigner and Founder of Africa Dyslexia Organisation, Rosalin Kyere-Nartey, cited the recent inclusion of dyslexic thinking in the dictionary as a notable victory in the quest for recognition. She described it as an unconventional approach to problem-solving, information assessment, and learning. Sir Richard Branson, who is himself a dyslexic, championed its inclusion in the dictionary to help highlight dyslexics’ uniqueness and creativity, said Ms. Kyere-Nartey. Dyslexia is a term used to describe people with specific learning disabilities. Many dyslexics view their condition as a liability rather than an asset, internalizing the negative labels thrust upon them. Due to a lack of awareness about their condition and how to leverage their unique abilities, it sometimes takes years for them to embrace their differences and realize their potential for incredible achievements. Nana Ansah Kwao intimated that he only realized he was dyslexic when his child’s teacher invited him for a discussion about the learning challenges his child was facing. “I said to myself, hold on, that’s me you’re describing right there”, he said. Some of the world’s greatest innovators and entrepreneurs are known dyslexics. Names like Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Spielberg, and Henry Ford – ten of whom control a combined net worth exceeding 200 billion dollars – could easily have once been struggling students who being misjudged. On the signs of dyslexia, the panelists cited students who consistently struggle with reading and writing. Their handwriting is often illegible, and they struggle to grasp lessons that involve writing. Their report cards are frequently marked with low grades. Dyslexic children are often dismissed as being lazy by parents and teachers alike. Many of them become the targets of ridicule and in some cases physical beating because of these wrong perceptions. “In their quest for acceptance, they can easily fall into bad company and channel their creative abilities into social vices,” Nana Ansah Kwao IV warned. On a positive note, Nana Ansah Kwao IV predicted that dyslexic children or students could become the breadwinners of their families if they are managed better. “I attended ten different schools in trying to complete my O-levels and repeatedly got thrown out for not being good enough. My father was terribly disappointed but was unaware that I was dyslexic and needed a different approach to learning,” he stated. Rosalin Kyere-Nartey urged educators to look beyond the apparent limitations to the ‘superpowers’ of dyslexics, namely curiosity, innovation and creativity. She challenged the conventional perception of intelligence that focused on the ability to read, write, chew and pour to get As. “Intelligence should be an individual’s capacity to identify problems, understand them, and find solutions,” she stressed. Both speakers emphasized the importance of awareness among parents, carers, and educators. Understanding dyslexia is crucial to preventing talented individuals from falling into negative patterns and to help channel their abilities positively. They encouraged parents who see the symptoms to have their children properly assessed to enable them to support them better. They also called on policymakers to equip public assessment centres with modern equipment and trained personnel to enable them to support vulnerable families at lower costs. On the question of ideal careers for dyslexics, Nana Ansah Kwao IV noted, “Dyslexics excel in careers involving speaking, sales, marketing, presenting, and analysing issues. I was a top salesperson for leading UK brands for years.” Could dyslexics be undiscovered diamonds in the rough? What if everyone understood this condition and contributed to making life easier for dyslexic individuals, especially children in their formative years? This is a clarion call to parents, educators, and everyone to try and understand the dynamics surrounding this condition. It’s crucial to deepen awareness of dyslexia and employ an all-hands-on-deck strategy to maximize the hidden potential of dyslexics. By doing so, we will not only enrich their lives but also unlock a wealth of innovation and creativity that can benefit society. Springboard, your virtual university, is a weekly personal development and learning broadcast hosted on diverse platforms by the Springboard Road Show Foundation in partnership with MTN Ghana, the Enterprise Group, and the Ghana Grows Program, an initiative by Mastercard Foundation, Springboard, and other partners. The broadcast has been airing since 2008 and is hosted by executive coach, pastor, and author, Rev. Albert Ocran. Kindly click this link to enjoy the conversation:  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/mV8SneEoYo6F46H3/

Mildred Akotia of Akwaaba Fine Foods, Longue Sylvester Abdul Razak of Sly Farms and Audrey Forson of Tekura Designs were over the weekend crowned the Young Innovators of the Year for their achievements in the Agriculture, Agribusiness and A-TVET sectors. Each of them was given a citation, a plaque and a cheque for 15,000 Ghana cedis as their prize. They will also go on an all-expenses-paid trip to Kenya to meet other agripreneurs and exchange ideas about best practices and possible collaborations. Seven other finalists were awarded for their innovations including Edna Frimpong, the Shoemakergurl, Edna Vorsah of Herb Garden, Emmanuel Twene of QET Organic Farms Limited, Martha Opoku of Deahenkan Foods Limited, Munkaila Mohammed of DolcaFresh Fruit Juice, Nikki Okrah of Chaku Foods, Elselund Ewudzie Sampson of Big Samps Market, and a special award to KEAD, a project by students of Aburi Girls Robotics Club. The awards were presented in Koforidua at the just ended Ghana Grows AgroFusion Festival, a platform designed to recognize, celebrate and project the efforts of young innovators in Agribusiness and Agriculture Technical Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) sectors with a keen focus on young women and persons with disability. In a keynote address at the event, Rica Rwigamba, Country Director for Mastercard Foundation in Ghana, emphasized the focus of the Ghana Grows Program on empowering young entrepreneurs and fostering connections with key industry players in the Agric and ATVET sectors. She encouraged participants to engage with industry leaders and explore opportunities to enhance their ventures. “I celebrate the role of young people in transforming the agriculture sector, highlighting their innovations featured in the Ghana Grows publication Changing Narratives which was launched at this event”. Ms Rwigamba further urge participants to address challenges like climate change and continue driving the growth of Agriculture and ATVET across Africa. “I hope your time spent at this summit and the interaction with various ecosystem actors has been an insightful and empowering experience”, she added. Another highlight of the Ghana Grows AgroFusion Festival was the launch of a book entitled, “Changing Narratives”, which featured a compilation of 200 success stories of young entrepreneurs in all sixteen regions of Ghana who are making strides in the areas of Agriculture, Agribusiness and A-TVET. The summit held at the Festival included coaching sessions led by resource persons and key industry players including the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) and the Food and Drugs Authority who equipped participants with valuable information on how to improve their personal skills and maximise opportunities to achieve the successes they envision. The Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, Mrs Comfort Ocran, expressed her profound gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for their dedication to the young people of the continent. “The young people on the Ghana Grows program couldn’t have achieved these significant feats without the unyielding commitment of the Mastercard Foundation. The commitment of our partner coupled with the hard work of our beneficiaries inspires us at Springboard to remain steadfast in our promise to them to ignite young dreams, one person at a time” Mrs Ocran stressed. In her acceptance remarks, an obviously elated Mildred Akotia stressed that, “It hasn’t been an easy journey. Anyone who knows my story can attest to the fact that it has been one of resilience and a passionate desire to make a difference and today we are all witnesses that hard work truly pays.” Longue Sylvester Abdul Razak of Sly Farms was grateful that his efforts at planting 50 acres of maize, groundnuts, soybeans and yam in the Wa East and West districts had come to the attention of the Ghana Grows Program. Audrey Forson, Managing Director of Tekura Designs, urged more young women to explore opportunities in the technical and vocational sectors. She pledged to use her recent election as President of the Interior Designers and Decorators Association Ghana (IDDG) to mentor more young women into the sector. The second edition of the AgroFusion festival was a showcase of the vibrant spirit of innovation within Ghana’s agricultural sector and a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and mentoring. Since its inception last, the AgroFusion Festival has been the hub for merging a series of events, including summits, exhibitions, book launches, and awards ceremonies celebrating young innovators in Agribusiness and Agriculture Technical Vocational Education and Training (ATVET). The two-day Festival also featured nights of entertainment with music artists including Dope Nation, Lasmid, Kwame Eugene, Byno Ayoni, Meraki Arts, Adelaide the Seer and a host of other performers treating the audience to great music and art. Undoubtedly, the festival may have wrapped up, but the enthusiasm and energy generated can be the driving force for growth and innovation in the agricultural sector, ensuring a bright future for Ghanaian agriculture and entrepreneurship and ensure that Ghana grows indeed. The Ghana Grows Program is a collaboration between Mastercard Foundation and Springboard Road Show Foundation with the support of over 100 partners and collaborators. It is a youth-led initiative aimed at inspiring and supporting young people to discover and pursue decent and fulfilling jobs in Agriculture, Agribusiness, and the Agric Technical, and Vocational Skills sectors.