GreenVETAfrica Graduation Ceremony
Over 60 students from the Ramseyer Vocational Technical Institute in Ghana have graduated after completing the Green Waste Management Training Program!
Date: Thursday, 15th August, 2024
Venue: Paul Kofi Fenteng Conference Hall (Basel Mission Guest House, Adum-Kumasi)
Chairperson: Mr. Charles Asante, Ramseyer Vocational Institute
The GreenVETAfrica graduation ceremony in Ghana marked the successful conclusion of the first cohort of our pioneering Green Waste Management pilot project within the TVET sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative, which integrates sustainability into technical and vocational education, has empowered our learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the green economy.
Out of the 63 students who completed the GreenVETAfrica program, 58 were present at the graduation ceremony. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the principles of sustainability and innovation.
The graduates, having acquired job-oriented technical and vocational skills in sustainable industrial and municipal waste collection, waste aggregation, preprocessing, and the recycling and upcycling of waste into reusable materials, are now poised to fill the significant labor and expertise gaps along the waste management value chain. These skills make them valuable contributors to the growing green economy, addressing critical environmental challenges.
The ceremony featured insightful speeches from distinguished guests, who emphasized the significance of the graduates’ achievements and future opportunities.
National Coordinator PRSD, Mr. Emanuel Nyarko Ankama enlightened the graduates on the emerging job opportunities in environmental management, climate-smart agriculture, and waste management. He encouraged the youth to apply their newly acquired skills to writing bankable business plans, making them eligible for various funding sources for startups. He highlighted that this is a grant project from the European Commission, but numerous courses and opportunities are available for those willing to enter the circular economy. Mr. Ankama also assured the graduates of continued support, including access to coaches and mentors to help them prepare their business plans and pitch for grants to start their enterprises.
Vice Principal of Ramseyer Vocational and Technical Institute, Anthony Sarkodie Amankwah Mr. Amankwah expressed optimism about the potential expansion of the Green Waste Management program to other TVET institutions across Africa. He emphasized that this program, the first of its kind, has already demonstrated significant success and has the potential for a substantial impact on Africa’s growing sanitation and environmental preservation challenges. He recommended scaling up the program with the support of the European Commission and other donor partners, to extend these valuable training opportunities to more young professionals across the region. He noted, “With this curriculum developed, we have only catered for 63 youth. In the Ashanti Region alone, we have thirty-five TVET institutions, and so it has to be scaled up.”
A message from the project coordinator, Adriano Mauro (AREA), was read to the graduating students, in which he commended their achievements and extended his best wishes for their future careers.
Furthermore the ceremony was graced by a host of esteemed guests who have been integral to the success of the GreenVETAfrica project. Among the honored guests were:
- The National Coordinator of the PRSD (Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Development), Mr. Emanuel Nyarko Ankama, whose guidance has been pivotal in shaping the project’s direction and success.
- The CEO of Charcoal Chiefs Company provided invaluable hands-on internship opportunities that enriched the practical experience and industry knowledge of our learners.
- Representatives from the Ghana TVET Services, key partners in integrating sustainability into the TVET curriculum.
- Guests from Whizzy Innovation Hub, whose contributions have fostered innovation and entrepreneurship among our learners.
The graduation ceremony was chaired by Mr. Charles Asante of Ramseyer Vocational Institute, whose leadership and commitment to education have been instrumental in the success of the GreenVETAfrica project. The event provided a platform to celebrate the accomplishments of the students and to underscore the importance of their future roles as leaders in the green economy. Certificates of completion were awarded to students who completed the graduation ceremony.
The GreenVETAfrica graduation ceremony was a resounding success, celebrating the achievements of our first cohort of graduates and the significant milestones reached in this pilot project. The presence of key stakeholders and partners underscored the collaborative efforts that have made this project possible. As our graduates move forward, they are equipped not only with technical skills but also with a deep understanding of the importance of sustainability in their respective fields.
