A wave of opportunity has arrived in the community of Akyem Tumfa, a farming community in the Eastern Region of Ghana, as JA Ghana with support from the PepsiCo Foundation, officially launched a vocational training programme aimed at equipping underserved youth with artisanal skills and entrepreneurial education.
The Akyem Tumfa Vocational Training Program kicked off with a vibrant two-day boot camp, following a visit by JA Ghana staff and lead facilitator, Vivian Heavenian Dzrekey. The initiative is designed to empower nine young people, mostly young women and mothers, with skills that will set them on a path toward financial independence and economic resilience.
The boot camp, held at the Durbar grounds, offered a practical and highly engaging introduction to topics such as:
- Self-Awareness and Life Skills
- Leadership (5Cs Model: Character, Confidence, Competence, Connection, Contribution)
- Design Thinking
- Business Model Canvas
- Financial Literacy
- Goal Setting & Action Planning
- How to Navigate Failure in Business
Facilitator Vivian Dzrekey, President of the JA Ghana Alumni Network and founder of a women-focused NGO, led the sessions using relatable examples, storytelling, group work, and local language delivery. Trainees, many of whom have been out of formal education for years, responded enthusiastically.
“You could tell that some of them hadn’t sat in a classroom in years. But once we switched to Twi and got them moving, they lit up,” said Vivian Dzrekey.
Later that day, a formal launch ceremony was held, bringing together traditional leaders, parents, local artisans, JA Ghana and PepsiCo representatives, and community members. Attendees witnessed the symbolic handover of sewing machines and training materials to the participants.
“We hope this program continues every year. It gives our children hope, and the community is behind it fully,” shared a local chief.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Eric Danso, a representative of PepsiCo Foundation, urged the trainees to value the opportunity:
“These tools didn’t appear by magic. People who have never met you donated to make this happen. Please take this seriously, your future depends on it.”
Who Are the Trainees?
- Total Trainees: 9
- Gender: 8 female, 1 male
- Ages: 20–27 years
- Education: The majority completed Junior Secondary; some completed Senior Secondary
- Parenting Status: 4 are young mothers
Despite limited formal education and economic hardship, these trainees are eager to turn the tide through vocational training and entrepreneurship.
Each participant received a hand sewing machine, scissors, cloth, thread, chalk, and maintenance oil — everything needed to begin hands-on artisanal work. Additionally, stationery and sketchbooks were provided for both theory and design planning.
Three experienced local artisans will mentor the trainees for six months:
- Mercy Koramah – Tailoring (16 years)
- Patrick Quaye – Male Fashion Design (10 years)
- Portia Amoakoa – Women’s Tailoring & Design (7 years)
“We started just like them — with nothing. Now it’s our turn to pass on what we’ve learned,” said Mercy Koramah.
From catering to sound and seating, the launch event stimulated local economic activity by contracting community service providers. Uniforms and chairs were also sourced locally, a conscious effort to support small businesses and reinforce ownership within the community.
The launch of the Akyem Tumfa Vocational Training Program stands as a shining example of what is possible when community, corporate support, and youth empowerment come together.
“This isn’t just a training programme, it’s a lifeline,” said a local parent. “Our children now have something to look forward to.”