Telecel Group Invests $50,000 to Strengthen Digital and Soft Skills for Ghanaian Students

Telecel Group has invested US$50,000 to strengthen digital learning and soft-skills development for young people participating in the Skills for School Programme in Ghana. The programme has reached more than 5,000 students since its introduction.

For students such as Dorcas, the programme has provided more than an opportunity to learn new skills. Before participating, she struggled with confidence and anxiety and found it difficult to speak up or contribute during class activities.

Through the Skills for School sessions, Dorcas gradually developed her communication, teamwork, goal-setting and leadership skills. The experience helped build her confidence and encouraged her to take on new responsibilities.

Her progress eventually extended beyond the programme. Dorcas served as Girls’ Prefect during her final year of junior high school and became Sub-Commander of her school’s Cadet Team. She also established a study group that grew from eight students to 32 and developed the confidence to pursue her ambition of joining the military.

The Skills for School Programme, delivered by King’s Trust International in partnership with Junior Achievement Ghana, has supported more than 5,000 young people since its launch in 2020.

Working with young people between the ages of 11 and 17 across 31 schools in the Greater Accra Region, the programme supports students who may be experiencing challenges with confidence, communication, self-management or engagement with learning.

Participants are equipped with essential skills to help them succeed in school, transition into employment and navigate everyday life.

Telecel Group’s partnership has enabled the programme to expand its focus beyond core and soft skills by introducing a stronger digital learning component.

Part of the US$50,000 investment has supported improved access to technology and digital infrastructure, including the establishment of computer laboratories in seven schools across the Accra Metropolitan, Krowor and Kpone Katamanso municipalities in the Greater Accra Region.

The partnership has also supported the introduction of a digital safety module, which is being delivered across all 31 participating schools. The module is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to engage with digital platforms responsibly and safely.

During a recent visit to one of the participating schools, representatives of Telecel Ghana interacted with students and observed programme sessions.

Komla Buami, External Affairs Director of Telecel Ghana, highlighted the importance of preparing young people for a future in which digital competencies will increasingly complement traditional workplace skills.

He noted that Telecel Group’s support is intended to help young people develop confidence, problem-solving, collaboration and the ability to use technology to create opportunities. These competencies, he explained, are becoming increasingly important in the modern workplace.

Lorretta Domfeh Owusu, Programme Manager at Junior Achievement Ghana, explained that Skills for School is designed to support young people who may experience challenges related to confidence, communication, self-management and academic engagement, including learners with disabilities.

She noted that Telecel Group’s support has strengthened the programme by improving students’ access to computers and internet connectivity.

These resources are enabling participants to develop practical digital competencies while learning how to navigate online environments safely through the programme’s digital safeguarding component.

Students are also being introduced to digital tools such as Microsoft Copilot, which they use for practical learning activities, including developing vision boards to support their personal goal-setting.

Andre Harriman, Head of Delivery for Africa at King’s Trust International, underscored the importance of partnerships between the private sector and youth-development organisations in addressing both skills and infrastructure gaps.

He highlighted Telecel Group’s support as an important contribution to the work of King’s Trust International and Junior Achievement Ghana in equipping young people with the competencies they need for an increasingly digital future.

The partnership has added a new digital dimension to the Skills for School Programme, combining the development of core life and employability skills with practical digital learning and online-safety education.

Through this approach, the programme continues to provide young people with the confidence, knowledge and practical skills they need to participate meaningfully in education, employment and an increasingly technology-driven world.