Tema: The SOS Children's Villages in Ghana recently concluded its ninth life skills and career orientation boot camp, specifically designed for the 2025 Junior High School graduates in Tema. The five-day event revolved around the theme 'Helping Young People Develop the Relevant Skills for Their Career Path,' drawing participation from 85 young individuals from various regions, including Northern, Ashanti, Eastern, Central, and Greater Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Godknows Kporha, the National Youth Development Advisor for SOS Children's Villages Ghana, highlighted the organization's dedication to empowering young people in the SOS programme across the country, aiming to foster self-employment. Mr. Kporha stated that SOS Children's Villages has developed strategic interventions to equip young individuals with essential skills before they complete university, emphasizing self-reliance, competitiveness in the job market, and job creation.
The boot camp, part of an annual initiative, is categorized into three segments: life skills and career orientation for junior high school graduates, career planning and development for senior high school graduates, and employability and entrepreneurship skills development for tertiary graduates. Mr. Kporha underscored the importance of these camps in helping young people comprehend life realities and guide them in selecting courses or career paths aligning with their interests and capabilities.
Participants engaged in various sessions focusing on career planning, gender equality, environmental awareness, and sustainability. Mr. Kporha noted that the project's impact over the past nine years has been positive, with participants gaining confidence and creating jobs using skills acquired from the boot camps.
The organization collaborated with learning institutions, future careers, DHL, and individual facilitators to enhance the camp's offerings. Mr. Kporha appealed to individuals, corporate bodies, and philanthropists to contribute to funding the program, easing transportation costs for participants, thereby enabling them to access essential corporate skills.
He encouraged young people to surround themselves with positive influences and seek role models for mentorship. Additionally, Mr. Kporha urged parents to understand their children's interests and support them in building relevant capacities.
Facilitators advised participants to maintain good behavior, abstain from sex, and focus on their studies for a brighter future. Participants expressed gratitude to SOS Children's Villages for the opportunity, vowing to apply the lessons learned in various fields.
The boot camp concluded with an award ceremony recognizing participants in categories such as most behaved location and most engaging participants, followed by an educational trip to the Tema Harbour.
