Accra Technical University has organised its FlexiLab Junior Consultant Roadshow under the BGA Project and supported by BGA, German Cooperation, and AFOS. The event, which was held on October 16, 2024, at the University’s Akwaaba Lodge showcased sustainable solutions presented by student project groups, aiming to provide real-world applications of digital tools in addressing societal challenges
Delivering the keynote address, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of ATU, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, stressed the crucial role of digital tools in solving pressing societal problems. He pointed out that as a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution, ATU’s mandate is to prepare students with the skills needed to be self-reliant in the job market, particularly in a country facing significant unemployment challenges. He further announced the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Incubation Services, (CEIS) which focuses on equipping students with entrepreneurial skills to transform ideas into sustainable ventures. Professor Ernest Winful, a key member of the project’s coordination team, described the Junior Consultant initiative as a platform to promote employability. He noted that the project’s primary goal is to provide participants with practical digital skills, preparing them to tackle industry challenges.
Hannah Schlingmann of AFOS expressed her outfit’s excitement about being part of the project. She announced the launch of the 4th cohort of the Junior Consultant programme, which will have a special focus on empowering young women by raising awareness and facilitating placement services within the global workforce. The event featured presentations by Junior Consultants, who had spent the previous two to three weeks developing digital solutions to challenges faced by companies in the agricultural sector. These students collaborated with companies such as SPEG, SHEPAG, and ASPEG to design mobile applications and websites aimed at addressing operational issues within the sector.
Christopher Mars from BGA German Cooperation shared his experience of working with the Junior Consultants, expressing his satisfaction with the solutions presented and encouraging more stakeholders to support the initiative in achieving its long-term goals.
The FlexiLab Junior Consultant Roadshow forms part of the broader BGA Project, which is backed by BGA, AFOS, and Accra Technical University, aiming to equip students with practical digital skills to solve industry-specific challenges.
The AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation is launching its second PartnerAfrica project in Ghana, running from October 2024 to May 2027, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project aims to promote responsible entrepreneurship by building partnerships with educational institutions, companies, and associations, focusing on training, quality assurance, and sustainable development. It specifically targets young women in the ICT sector, partnering with ICT innovation hubs and women’s business associations like WeRise and OAWLI to enhance their capacity to support female professionals. The project will offer mentorship, employability programs, and initiatives like the Junior Consultant initiative, where young graduates develop software solutions for Ghanaian SMEs, contributing to a gender-inclusive economy and digital transformation in Ghana.