Socio-Economic Empowerment

Child in Tech Conference 2024, Accra.

As a way of empowering at Offei Yaw in the Eastern Region of Ghana, they were sponsored by Kwaaba Foundation to the attend the 2nd Edition of the child in Tech Conference at the Academic University in Accra, Ghana. The Conference Themed “Promoting Financial Technology for Economic Growth.

“Now more than ever, the adoption of digital payment systems has seen unprecedented rise. People of all age groups and geographical locations are leaning towards emerging digital payment systems for their day-to-day transactions. Research has indicated that children especially students at the senior High School (SHS) level are amongst the most actively involved age group in these digital transactions.” One of the Organizers said in a statement.

The participants were introduced to Savings and it’s ultimate benefits. The program was in three sessions, the first session had invited expert speakers making their presentations and answering questions from audience; the second session was a breakout session where each group was taken through ten selected topics under financial technology by trained facilitators, the last session was the presentation from each group selected member to present the topic they learnt to students of the other groups.

The children are the future, and therefore it is imperative to put in place the necessary mechanisms to inculcate in them the needed knowledge and understanding of these emerging digital payment systems, so they make productive use of them”. – Chief Executive Officer of Child In Tech, Akua Otubea Essah.

The Foundation’s Annual Community Christmas Party at Offei Yaw came off on Sunday 12th December 2021. Instead of the usual party, it was a durbar (Community Meeting) to allow the Foundation to have a “hard talk” with the community. The Foundation believes that the community can do more with the resources given and even generate some decent income for the community. With 2021 winding down and 2022 around the corner, this was a good opportunity for them to make 2022 an even better and more progressive year. Each attendee received a Christmas package – consisting of food items such as rice, a sachet of tomatoes and mackerel for the adults, and a variety of biscuits, chocolate, and drink for the kids – in reusable cloth bags as a way to educate them in sustainable practices.

 

 
Visits to Companies and Sites.

Aside educational programs, Offei Yaw Community members get to visit companies and factories in Accra Ghana, the country’s capital to learn and also get empowered by each visit, they get to witness production processes and also receive gifts and network.

As part of its periodic strategic engagement with the town of Offei Yaw, Adeiso, and surrounding communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana, on 23rd February, the Kwaaba Foundation organized an educational tour to the Logos Hope Ship, the world’s largest floating book fair (docked at the Tema port and later moved to Takoradi port).

Fifty (50) people (students and parents led by 2 chiefs) had the opportunity to attend the onboard book fair. The Foundation, along with the Kaysens Group, funded the selection of books by each student as well as the stocking of the community library. As one observer remarked – “They will remember this trip all their lives. Hope it opens their minds to dream big.”

Reusable Bags Initiative. (“Say No To Single-Use Plastics”)

Offei Yaw, a Community in the Eastern Region of Ghana which the Foundation has adopted responded to COP 26 – The UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in early November. The Kwaaba Foundation has supported and advocated for sustainable initiatives targeted at dealing with climate change through community sensitization. Inspired by the Eisenhower Fellowships 2022 Africa Program on Climate Change, the Foundation introduced the community to reusable facemasks, proper disposal mechanisms and educated them on the effects of other activities such as burning bush. During its annual Christmas Get Together, the Foundation used the opportunity to further sensitize the community; instead of the usual Christmas plastic bags, the Foundation packaged its Christmas goodies in reusable cloth bags to encourage reuse. Bags were primarily made out of used bedsheets, flour bags, and used clothing. The people in the community pledged to – “Say No to Single-use Plastics”