By Kweku Bolten
In a world driven by innovation and technology, the youth hold the key to shaping the future. However, the challenge of unemployment persists, casting a shadow over their potential. This is the first class of 115 students at the African Freelancer College (TAF). The successful completion of the first training is testament to the school’s interest in empowering and uplifting students in Ghana, igniting their potential to soar as internationally recognised freelancers.
TUITION-FREE EDUCATION
The college has carved its niche in the educational landscape by providing tuition-free courses to youth in the areas of digital marketing, cosmetology, cinematography, fashion design, music production, graphic design, real estate management, auto mechanics, and artificial intelligence prompt engineering, among others. The students, some of whom are from Cameroon, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria.
EXPERTS SPEECH
The founder and president of TAF College, Rev. Johnnie Oquaye, said the graduation was a key milestone in the college’s mission of transforming school dropouts and unemployed youth into creative entrepreneurs by equipping them with innovative enterprise development skills in various fields. He said the college is not just teaching lessons but also making dreams a reality and giving power to people’s lives.
Rev. Oquaye noted that the school had created a platform for creative talents across Africa to flourish and be unhindered by financial obstacles and social barriers.
In addition, he stated that, through its partnership with the HACSA Foundation under their Tech4Girls Programme, the college had empowered an additional 10 aspiring female coders to pursue their interests in the technology sector.
He charged them to use their technological and innovative skills to help transform the economy.
One of Ghana’s former ambassadors to France, Portugal, and UNESCO, Madam Johanna Svanikier, who is the founder and president of the HACSA Foundation, commended the management of the college for the skills training, expanded the training programmes, and ensured enhanced collaboration, especially in equipping girls with ICT skills.
She believes empowering women through skill development and technology creates a more equitable and inclusive society where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.
For his part, the Executive Director of the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling, Nana Gyamfi Adwabour, charged the graduates to enhance their digital skills in addition to the other skills they acquired at TAF.
Dignitaries who graced the event include Professor Mike Oquaye, a former Speaker of Parliament.
TO SHAPE THE FUTURE
As these graduates embark on the next level of their journey, they carry with them the spirit of innovation and empowerment. Together, they shape a future where employment is a thing of the past.
