An ambitious mission of getting unemployed youths off the streets by transforming them into skilled entrepreneurs through tuition-free training is yielding results as the first batch of 115 students graduate from The African Freelancers (TAF) College in Accra,
The students – who include school drop-outs, young single mothers and unemployed youths – have, through the training, been equipped with skills in graphic designing, cinematography, music production, digital marketing, cosmetology, fashion design, real estate management and event management, among others.
The training programmes are funded through donations by philanthropists, corporate bodies and non-profit organisations.
TAF College, a tuition-free applied business school of creativity and entrepreneurship, considers its maiden graduation as a key milestone in the college’s mission of transforming school drop-outs and unemployed youths into creative entrepreneurs by equipping them with innovative enterprise development and job creation skills in various fields.
Some of its beneficiary students are from Cameroon, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
Rev. Johnnie Oquaye, Founder and President of TAF College, in his address, described the graduation as a product of hard work over the past year in pursuing the objective of “forging a path where creative talents across Africa could flourish, unhindered by financial obstacles and social barriers”.
With the financial and logistical support of donors, including HACSA Foundation, he said the college has been able to train over 100 students in various fields.
In addition, he said through its partnership with The HACSA Foundation under their Tech4Girls Programme, the college has empowered an additional 10 aspiring female coders to pursue their aspirations in the technology sector.
As part of its expansion drive in the second year, Rev. Oquaye announced that the college will soon open an Artificial Intelligence Department that will provide quality training in that area to enable students to take advantage of opportunities in the fast-growing AI industry.
Rev. Oquaye expressed appreciation to all donors for their continuous support, and praised the lecturers for their sacrifices, which include taking only 40 percent of their salaries, to support the vision.
He urged the graduating students to consider their graduation as a launchpad into their destiny, reminding them that “you take with you not just a certificate, but a toolbox of knowledge, skills and resilience.
“You have honed your critical thinking, communication and problem-solving abilities. You have developed adaptability and perseverance.”
He further urged them to be guided by the TAF College values of integrity, innovation and a commitment to serving their community as they stepped into the future.
In his keynote address, Mr. Goba Tenge Seddo, an International Peace Ambassador, urged the graduates to be dedicated to duty and eschew all forms of dishonesty and laziness.
“Get into job creation with honesty and focus while setting new standards, and work hard in any environment you find yourselves. Form cooperatives and do not be in a hurry to amass wealth, but be patient and tolerant,” he stressed.
Mr. Charles Abani, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana and the Guest Speaker, urged young people to explore key elements of development, including job creation, food security, digitisation, energy, climate change and education to impact positively on the country.
He urged the graduands to “engage in partnerships to build their enterprises; and remember to give back to sustain the college to benefit future generations”.
Johanna Svanikier, Founder and President of The HACSA Foundation, commended the management of the college for the quality skills training and the continuous expansion of the training programmes, and assured the school of enhanced collaboration, especially in equipping girls with ICT skills.
For his part, the Executive Director of Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling, Nana Gyamfi Adwabour, charged the graduands to enhance their digital skills in addition to the other skills they acquired at TAF.
“Have a growth mindset and keep improving to impact the world. Let Ghana see the benefit of what you have learned,” he said, and assured the college of government’s collaboration.
Dignitaries who graced the event include Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, a former Speaker of Parliament.
