A wave of grassroots innovation and peer-driven mentorship is transforming the lives of young women in Ghana through the Ghana Grows Programme, powered by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by the Springboard Road Show Foundation.
At the heart of this transformation are Youth-Led Organisations (YLOs), who have moved from being mere participants in youth development conversations to becoming frontline facilitators of real change. Their involvement in the third phase of Empower360—a flagship component of the Ghana Grows Programme—has proven crucial in delivering practical, life-changing skills in tie-dye & batik, shoemaking, and food processing to dozens of young women.
From June 2nd to 6th, 2025, participants received not just technical instruction, but also startup kits and a robust support structure that includes post-training coaching and market linkage initiatives—all led by the YLOs themselves.
The third pilot brought together dynamic youth-led groups such as Ahofade Shoes, Marvin D’autey Tet’d Handmade Shoes, and Habarata Textiles. These organizations delivered hands-on training while serving as relatable mentors, fostering peer learning and self-confidence among trainees.
“The secret sauce is in the relatability,” said Mrs. Comfort Ocran, Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation. “When young people teach and mentor their peers, it creates a powerful ripple effect—confidence goes up, and learning becomes more engaging.”
Unlike traditional top-down training models, this approach positions young leaders as co-creators of impact. Many of the trainers are themselves graduates of past development programmes and now act as facilitators, coaches, and role models.
Beyond their impact on participants, the YLOs are themselves evolving. Through their roles in the Ghana Grows Programme, these youth-driven outfits are gaining vital experience in project management, community engagement, and entrepreneurship facilitation—skills that strengthen their capacity to influence development at scale.
“It’s a dual investment,” said a statement from the programme team. “Participants gain tools to start businesses, and the YLOs grow stronger as credible agents of change.”
Empower360 has moved beyond just skills acquisition. It now integrates business development, peer support, and a heavy focus on innovation and long-term sustainability. Participants leave not only with a toolkit but also with the mindset needed to thrive in Ghana’s growing informal and creative economy.
One of the programme’s beneficiaries, Miss Bridget Ama Eshun, summed it up:
“I came here with absolutely no idea about fabric making, but today I walk away with not just knowledge but a complete starter kit to launch my own business.”
Having successfully piloted earlier training in mushroom farming, resin art, soap making, and makeup artistry, Ghana Grows is poised to scale its impact—reaching more women, including persons with disabilities, across the country.
With youth-led organisations at its core, the Ghana Grows Programme is not only cultivating entrepreneurs—it is growing leaders.
