The Ghana Grows Program, an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with the Springboard Road Show Foundation, proudly announces the successful conclusion of Empower360's third pilot training session. This intervention under the Ghana Grows Program has equipped 30 young women with entrepreneurial skills in Tie-Dye &Batik, Shoemaking, and Food Processing. Held from June 2nd to 6th, the training provided participants with both practical knowledge and starter packs, enabling them to launch their own businesses immediately.

This milestone builds on the momentum of the previous pilots, which trained 24 women in mushroom farming during the first pilot and 32 women in makeup artistry, resin art, and soap production during the second pilot. Together, these sessions form part of a larger vision to improve economic outcomes for young women and persons with disabilities.

For this pilot, four different youth-led organizations, namely Ahofade Shoes, Marvin D’autey Tet’d Handmade Shoes, and Habarata Textiles, actively trained the participants. A key part of the programme's success is the involvement of Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs). The YLOs act as facilitators and peer mentors during the training, creating a supportive environment that helps participants not only learn technical skills but also grow in confidence and teamwork.

Following the training phase, YLOs are now leading post-training activities, including business coaching, market linkages, and follow-up support. Their continued involvement helps ensure that the impact of Empower360 goes beyond a certificate or starter pack and contributes to long-term change in participants’ lives. The partnership has also been beneficial for the YLOs themselves, as they gain new experience in project management, facilitation, and community development, making them stronger actors in the youth development space.

Executive Director of Springboard Road Show Foundation, Comfort Ocran, said, “Empower360 is a solution to solving real issues young Ghanaians experience. Our mission is to equip them, restore their confidence and enable them to be self-reliant by opening pathways to long-term opportunities to make them thrive.”

Participants in the third pilot engaged in hands-on activities, group learning, and interactive sessions led by experienced trainers. The week-long programme also emphasized innovation, business development, and peer support, ensuring participants left with both technical skills and a strong entrepreneurial mindset.

Bridget Ama Eshun, a fulfilled participant, shared her excitement, “I came here with absolutely no idea about fabric making, but today I walk away with not just knowledge but a complete starter kit to launch my own business.”

With each pilot, the Ghana Grows Program continues to demonstrate the power of targeted, inclusive interventions in transforming lives and communities. The initiative remains committed to scaling its impact and supporting more women to build thriving enterprises.