Blossom Academy brings ‘GROW’ Programme to Kumasi to expand data skills

The Kofi Annan ICT Centre was alive with celebration. Blossom Academy, in partnership with Generation Ghana, graduated its second cohort. This event is part of the Ghana Remote and Online Work (GROW) Programme.

The GROW Programme aims to equip young Ghanaians with digital skills. It focuses on data analytics to prepare participants for remote jobs. The initiative addresses youth unemployment in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Blossom Academy provides training in data analytics and mentorship. They also offer soft skills development and job placement support. This includes freelancing pathways through a network of freelance mentors from Ghana and South Africa.

Delphina Duodu, Programmes Lead at Blossom Academy, spoke about their mission. She said they aim to shape young people's career paths through the GROW programme. “We integrated freelancing pathways because the future of work demands flexibility,” she explained.

The first cohort achieved impressive results. Seventy unemployed young adults completed 12 weeks of blended learning. Seventy percent of them were women, with a 100% completion rate and an 80% post-training placement rate.

Graduates like Richard Gidi praised the programme for helping them find jobs. He noted that the community aspect improved his collaboration skills for real-world projects.

The graduation ceremony showcased learners' capstone projects addressing real-world challenges. Amma Baffoe from Generation Ghana emphasized the importance of such initiatives for youth employment.

Catherine Kloku shared her success story as a new graduate. She had little experience before joining but now works as a data analyst intern at Bezzie 31 Consult.

Vandyck Lomotey from Generation Ghana highlighted the broader goals of the GROW initiative. He stated that it equips young people with necessary skills and opportunities for success.

Following two successful cohorts, the GROW Programme is expanding further. Two new cohorts will train 110 learners in Accra and Kumasi, promoting regional inclusion.

Blossom Academy plans to improve access to reliable internet in Ashanti Region. They are working with local partners for better support and stronger ties with employers.

Duodu expressed excitement about returning to Kumasi with more intentional support for learners during their transition into jobs.

The long-term vision of the GROW Programme is to create a thriving digital workforce in Ghana. They prioritize remote work, digital inclusion, gender equity, and economic mobility through continued collaboration among Blossom Academy, Generation Ghana, and Mastercard Foundation.