Generation Ghana has successfully hosted its inaugural Ghana Remote & Online Work (GROW) Stakeholder Gathering today 5th November 2024 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

It brought together key stakeholders, including donor partners, employers, graduates, and learners, to celebrate the achievements of the GROW (Ghana Remote & Online Work) program.

The program has already enrolled 700 learners, and the event highlighted the success stories of these learners who have transformed their careers through the program and provided a platform for networking between graduates and industry leaders. 

The GROW program, developed by Generation Ghana in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and supported by a coalition of partners including MEST Africa, Blossom Academy, Azubi Africa, Whizzy Academy and Women’s Tech Haven, focuses on providing young Ghanaians with the skills and support needed to secure remote and online work, allowing them to compete in the global digital economy.

With a special emphasis on providing personalised support to learners and graduates, the program has successfully created life-changing opportunities for participants by helping them secure high-quality employment. 

Through the GROW Program, Generation Ghana expects to help 2,000 young Ghanaians access tech jobs across 5 professions (AWS, Data Analysis, Digital Customer Service, Digital Marketing, and Web Development) over the next two years and enable the development of an ecosystem for global and local remote work for Ghanaian youth, particularly young women aged 18-35 years old. 

Since commencing operations in Ghana in January 2024, we have successfully enrolled over 700 learners from Accra and Kumasi, selected from over 40,000 applicants nationwide – a number that reflects the high level of need for this type of opportunity.

GROW learners are typically unemployed or underemployed University graduates aged 18-35 years with a pre-GROW average income of less than GH¢1,500 per month.

The program is designed to provide opportunities for young people of this profile who are eager to upskill and transition into new professions. Notably, 76% of our learners are female, underscoring our commitment to gender inclusivity. Furthermore, 80% of our graduates have already secured employment in various roles, including onsite, hybrid, remote jobs, and freelance opportunities across Ghana, Africa, Europe and North America. 

The Stakeholder Gathering was a significant milestone in Generation Ghana’s journey as it provided the right context to highlight key achievements of the GROW program and share the life-changing stories of the program’s beneficiaries. Key event highlights included: 

- Learner Stories Panel: Graduates shared inspiring personal stories about their experiences in the GROW program, and how it has impacted their economic lives as well as their immediate families. 

- Networking Opportunities: Attendees, including Generation Ghana’s partners, employers, and stakeholders, had the opportunity to connect with graduates and explore potential collaborations to deepen the program’s impact. 

The event’s keynote address was delivered by Rica Rwigamba, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation, Ghana, who emphasised the importance of skilling young people to be leaders in the global future. 

“Through the GROW program, we are creating employment pathways designed to meet the immediate needs of young people today and secure their futures for tomorrow.

"We are committed to ensuring that young Africans and Ghanaians, for that matter, are well-placed to learn and lead in the global future”, she added. 

In her speech, she called for stakeholders to work together to ensure that programs and initiatives targeted at young people have depth and durability, adding, “I believe that when we create profound, foundational change, we empower young people to see themselves as leaders, innovators, and architects of their futures.

"This is the depth we are pursuing: employment that isn’t merely a stepping-stone but a bedrock for transformation. But depth alone is not enough; we need durability - employment opportunities that are resilient and sustainable, even in the face of economic challenges.

"Too often, young people find themselves in precarious work situations that can be easily lost in times of hardship.” 

Speaking on the significance of the stakeholder gathering, Dr. Vandyck Lomotey, Program Director at Generation Ghana, noted, "This event represents more than just a celebration. It is a testament to the resilience, hard work, and dedication of our learners and graduates.

"Their success reflects the importance of partnerships between organisations like ours, donors, and employers who are invested in creating sustainable employment for Ghana's youth."