Experiences

Hangout

From Two Pupils to 215: How Springboard Inspired a teacher to Build a School in Zorko

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Dr. Thomas Abugre, Founder of Zimas Grace International School in Zorko, Upper East Region, credits a single encounter with the Springboard Road Show in 2010 for transforming his life and inspiring him to establish the first private school in his community. Speaking on the Springboard Hangout with Comfort Ocran, Dr. Abugre recounted how attending the Road Show sparked a vision to create opportunities for children in Zorko, a community that previously only had public schools. “Hearing Reverend Albert Ocran say it doesn’t matter where you are, you can make it, I was moved to act,” he recalled. According to Dr. Abugre, the school started in a rented single room with just two pupils, the children of his colleagues. By the end of the first year, enrolment had grown to 10. Today, Zimas Grace International School boasts 215 pupils and 12 teachers, offering classes from kindergarten through junior high school. The school also runs an affordable feeding programme, ensuring pupils receive daily meals, a factor Dr. Abugre says has improved attendance and retention. Beyond founding the school, Dr. Abugre has pursued his own education relentlessly, progressing from a Cert-A teacher to earning a first degree, a master’s, and a PhD specializing in early childhood development. “The Springboard Road Show changed my mindset about being a village champion. If I can rise to this level, so can others,” he said. Despite its success, the school faces significant challenges with infrastructure and land ownership. Zorko’s traditional landowners do not sell land to non-natives, so Zimas Grace currently operates in rented spaces, including a community centre. This limitation has prevented the school from fully utilizing its computer lab, despite receiving 15 computers through a donation facilitated by Springboard. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Abugre says the school has made a lasting impact, inspiring the emergence of other private schools in the area and reducing the need for parents to send their children to Bolgatanga for private education. Looking ahead, he hopes to track the progress of his pupils over the next decade and expand facilities to support their growth. He urged young people and the public to support the school’s infrastructure needs, either through the PTA or its bank account. “If there is anything you can get hooked on, get hooked on the Springboard Road Show. It has transformed my life, and it can transform yours,” he advised. The visit to Zorko was part of the 2025 Springboard Road Show, which is touring 16 cities and engaging over 500,000 youth in one amazing experience. About Springboard Hangout Springboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centered show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences to educate, entertain, and equip the next generation. It airs every Saturday on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel (YouTube) at 4 pm. Marketing and Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Hangout

Youth Urged to Tap Into Tourism as Ghana’s Untapped Goldmine

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Madam Felicity Nelson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Operations at the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), has called on young people to explore the vast opportunities in Ghana’s tourism sector, describing it as an untapped goldmine. Speaking on Springboard Hangout with Comfort Ocran, Madam Felicity explained that tourism is not just about sightseeing but a significant economic driver that channels money directly into local communities. “Tourism is an immense contributor to our GDP and we must take it seriously,” she said. She also highlighted a range of initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs. One such innovation she mentioned is Car by Night, a double-decker bus tour that showcases Accra after dark, with stops at cultural landmarks such as the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the Osu Night Market. According to her, the tour blends heritage, food, and nightlife to create new experiences for both locals and foreigners. She further announced that the GTDC is offering free vendor advertising on its platform for a period of one year. Young people running tours, cooking classes, craft workshops, or performances can register through the company’s website and receive support with the process. “If you are a young person wondering how to get your name out there, we are offering a platform,” she assured. Madam Felicity also underlined the importance of digital skills and content creation, describing them as pivotal to the growth of tourism in Ghana. She encouraged young people to start small, build consistently, and refine their craft. About Springboard HangoutSpringboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centered show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences to educate, entertain, and equip the next generation. It airs every Saturday on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel (YouTube) at 4 pm. By Faustina Yeboah

Edwuma

We’ve Trained Young Minds to Pass Exams, Not to Engage with the Real World –  Kow Aboagye-Ghunney.

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Biology and Integrated Science teacher at West Africa Senior High School, Kow Aboagye-Ghunney, says Ghana’s education system must shift from theory-based learning to practical experiences that prepare students for real-life challenges. “We teach these children how to grow crops, and they come out and pass their exams, but if you put them beside a tomato plant, they can’t identify it,” he said. “I want to be part of the change I want to see.” Mr. Aboagye-Ghunney made the remarks during an interview on Ghana Grows Edwuma with host Yaa Bitha. The episode focused on how he introduced climate-smart farming into classroom instruction by starting a school farm that teaches students modern, hands-on agricultural practices. The farm, supported by the school’s leadership and staff, uses drip irrigation, plastic mulch, and power tillers in place of traditional hoes and watering cans. Students also receive training on installing irrigation systems and learn the theory behind using drones for pesticide application. “The students know how to prepare land using hand tractors. Nobody holds a hoe here. That’s what puts many young people off Agric,  the hard labour,” he explained. He added that exposing students to safe and modern farming practices could help shift mindsets and career choices. “I hope that when they grow up, they’ll choose this path and produce safer food for us all,” he added. About Ghana Grows Edwuma Ghana Grows Edwuma is a nationwide broadcast aired on TV and radio, aimed at encouraging young people to take up career opportunities in the agribusiness, agriculture, and ATVET sectors. By Faustina Yeboah