The One Whole Future (OWF) Foundation, founded by the former Deputy Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA) and Advisor on Gender and Social Protection to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Akosua Asaa Manu has launched a practical skills training programme aimed at equipping young people with employable and entrepreneurial skills to enhance their economic independence.
The initiative, which is being implemented in partnership with Vision to Venture, a skills training hub seeks to provide participants with hands-on training in practical, income-generating skills that can be translated into sustainable livelihoods.
Unlike conventional entrepreneurship programmes that focus largely on theory, the training is designed to give participants practical experience and a finished product or portfolio that can serve as the foundation for starting a business or offering a service immediately after completing the programme.
The three days skills training programme covers six areas namely soap making, body lotion making, graphic designing, lash making, nail technology and cryptocurrency trading selected for their growing market demand and relatively low start-up costs.
Participants will undergo intensive practical sessions facilitated by experienced professionals and industry practitioners. The programme combines live demonstrations with guided practical exercises to ensure trainees acquire the confidence and technical competence needed to establish their own micro-enterprises.
For those enrolled in graphic designing, the training will focus on creating logos, flyers, social media content and other branding materials while building a professional portfolio. Participants in cryptocurrency trading will also receive foundational knowledge in blockchain technology, digital wallets, market analysis, risk management and safe trading practices before advancing to practical simulations.
Speaking on the rationale behind the initiative, the Foundation noted that youth unemployment continues to be one of Ghana’s most pressing socio-economic challenges, making practical skills development an essential pathway to self-employment and wealth creation.
It believes that empowering young people with marketable skills not only improves their chances of earning a living but also contributes to building resilient local businesses and reducing dependence on formal employment opportunities.
Upon successful completion of their respective modules, participants will receive certificates of completion after demonstrating competency through practical assessments, including the production of finished items or the submission of portfolio work relevant to their chosen fields.
The Foundation expects each training cohort to produce young entrepreneurs who are equipped with both the technical skills and confidence to establish small businesses, offer freelance services or expand existing ventures.
Beyond the training sessions, the initiative is intended to create a pipeline of youth-led enterprises that can be nurtured through mentorship, networking and future support opportunities.
The Practical Skills Training Programme forms part of the OWF Foundation’s broader commitment to empowering young people through education, entrepreneurship and economic inclusion, while providing practical solutions to unemployment by helping participants turn skills into sustainable sources of income.