Young entrepreneurs trained in freelancing, digital tools
Young graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs have received practical digital skills training under the Uplift Programme, a youth-focused initiative by Africa Forward aimed at tackling unemployment and expanding access to meaningful work opportunities across the continent.
The programme contributes to a broader goal of supporting 30 million young Africans to secure dignified and sustainable employment by 2030. It places particular emphasis on women and marginalised groups through targeted skills development, job placement and entrepreneurship support.
As part of the initiative, Social Enterprise Ghana, in partnership with Africa Forward, organised a three-day digital freelancing training programme to equip young people with practical digital and professional skills for internships, freelance work and employment.
The training covered areas such as social media marketing, social media influencing, graphic design, video production and editing, Google Workspace tools, and soft skills for professional development.
Speaking at the programme, the Training and Events Officer of Social Enterprise Ghana, Mrs Josephine Paintsil, said the organisation remained committed to empowering young people, particularly women, through entrepreneurship and skills development initiatives that create sustainable livelihoods and social impact.
She explained that the digital freelancing programme formed part of broader interventions under the Uplift Programme aimed at promoting job creation, financial empowerment and market-relevant skills development.
Mrs Paintsil stated that the ultimate goal was not only to train young people but also to connect them to opportunities that would enable them to thrive. She added that the programme particularly encouraged the participation of women and persons with disabilities.
She further noted that the initiative built on the success of a previous skills training in yoghurt production held last month, where several participants had already begun establishing their own businesses.
Mrs Paintsil disclosed that the programme intended to train between 150 and 200 young people through the digital freelancing initiative, with plans to expand into additional skills areas in the future.
The training facilitator, Mr Ibrahim Bashiru, said the programme went beyond technical instruction by equipping participants with practical workplace and employability skills.
He explained that the training focused not only on digital tools but also on unlocking opportunities for participants. According to him, participants received training in Google Workspace, graphic design, video editing, social media marketing, communication, CV writing and interview preparation.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Sadat Idrisu, described the training as a valuable experience that had enhanced both her technical and professional skills.
She said that prior to the programme, she had limited knowledge of digital freelancing but had now acquired practical skills in graphic design, social media marketing and video editing.
She added that the training had also helped her understand how to prepare a professional CV and position herself for employment and online work opportunities.
BY HILDA NSAMI
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
