CalBank Reinforces Youth Banking Commitment at Tertiary Unlocked 2025: Empowering Ghana’s Next Generation

Introduction

In a vibrant display of dedication to CalBank youth empowerment, the bank reaffirmed its support for teenagers navigating the business environment during the Tertiary Unlocked 2025 event. Hosted at CalBank’s Head Office, this initiative targeted senior high school graduates, bringing together industry professionals and facilitators under the theme “Designing Your Tertiary Journey: Learn, Innovate, Succeed.” CalBank’s Head of Youth Banking, Nannie Abankwah, emphasized the institution’s role in equipping young Ghanaians with essential skills, financial knowledge, and platforms for seamless transitions into tertiary education and the workforce.

This event underscores the growing importance of youth banking programs in Ghana, where financial institutions like CalBank bridge gaps in career readiness. By partnering with Tertiary Unlocked, CalBank highlights practical tools like design thinking workshops and problem-solving challenges, preparing teens for real-world business challenges. A standout moment was the launch of Task2Hire, an edtech platform revolutionizing soft skills development for tertiary students and graduates.

Analysis

CalBank’s involvement in Tertiary Unlocked 2025 reveals a strategic focus on long-term youth development in Ghana’s competitive job market. Nannie Abankwah’s statements to JoyBusiness illustrate how the bank’s Youth Banking Unit prioritizes financial literacy, career exploration, and opportunity platforms—core elements for sustainable teen business environment preparation.

CalBank’s Youth Banking Strategy

The Youth Banking Unit at CalBank goes beyond traditional savings accounts. It delivers hands-on financial wisdom, teaching teens budgeting, saving, and investment basics tailored to their transition phase. This approach aligns with global trends where early financial education boosts economic independence. Abankwah noted that such programs foster innovators and professionals, directly addressing Ghana’s youth unemployment challenges by building confidence and purposeful academic paths.

Impact of Tertiary Unlocked 2025

The event’s structure—featuring self-discovery workshops, career tech sessions, and pitch challenges—employed design thinking methodologies. Design thinking, a proven problem-solving framework, encourages empathy, ideation, and prototyping, skills vital for tertiary success and business innovation. Participants explored how employers can attract Gen Z talent, pitching ideas that won mentorships, internships, and prizes sponsored by CalBank and partners.

Task2Hire: Bridging Education and Employment

Akua Ampah, Founder of ClearPath Career Consult and Tertiary Unlocked convener, launched Task2Hire during a Self-Discovery Workshop. This edtech solution assigns real-world tasks to build soft skills like communication, teamwork, and critical thinking while linking users to job opportunities. Ampah explained it addresses the academia-practice divide, emphasizing mentorship and exposure over rote learning.

Summary

Tertiary Unlocked 2025, held on November 17, 2025, at CalBank Head Office, celebrated youth potential through interactive sessions on career guidance, financial literacy, and innovation. CalBank’s reaffirmed commitment via its Youth Banking Unit, coupled with the Task2Hire launch, positions it as a leader in Ghana youth empowerment programs. Key outcomes included skill-building activities, a pitch challenge for Gen Z talent strategies, and promises of continued investment in teen financial and career planning.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For teens and parents seeking career guidance for high school graduates, Tertiary Unlocked exemplifies actionable steps. Here’s pedagogical guidance drawn from the event to maximize benefits from similar initiatives.

Building Financial Literacy Early

Start with CalBank-style youth accounts to learn compounding interest and goal-based saving. Track expenses using apps, understanding how financial habits shape tertiary choices like scholarships or loans. Educate on Ghana’s financial regulations to avoid pitfalls in student funding.

Leveraging Edtech like Task2Hire

Engage platforms assigning real tasks: complete micro-projects in marketing or coding to build resumes. Pair with self-discovery exercises—list strengths, values, and aspirations—to align tasks with passions. Network via mentorship features for internship leads.

Mastering Design Thinking for Careers

Apply the five stages: empathize with user needs (e.g., employer pain points), define problems, ideate solutions, prototype pitches, and test ideas. Practice in school clubs to prepare for tertiary innovation courses.

Participating in Pitch Challenges

Form teams to brainstorm Gen Z attraction strategies, like flexible work or mental health support. Research data: Gen Z values purpose-driven jobs. Rehearse pitches focusing on clarity and impact for prizes like internships.

Points of Caution

While events like Tertiary Unlocked 2025 offer immense value, youth must approach teen career development platforms wisely.

• Verify Opportunities: Confirm internship legitimacy; avoid platforms requesting upfront fees, common in job scams.
• Balance Self-Discovery: Rush not into tasks without workshops—misaligned choices lead to burnout.
• Protect Personal Data: On edtech like Task2Hire, review privacy policies before sharing profiles.
• Realistic Expectations: Soft skills build gradually; combine with academic focus for holistic growth.

Comparison

Comparing Tertiary Unlocked 2025 to traditional career fairs reveals stark differences in youth empowerment in Ghana.

Vs. Conventional Guidance Programs

Standard high school counseling often limits to resume writing and generic advice. Tertiary Unlocked integrates design thinking and edtech, offering experiential learning akin to modern bootcamps like Google’s Career Certificates.

Task2Hire vs. Other Edtech

Unlike passive platforms (e.g., LinkedIn Learning), Task2Hire mandates real-world tasks with employer connections, similar to Upwork for students but focused on soft skills. It outperforms free MOOCs by providing Ghana-specific mentorship.

CalBank Youth Banking vs. Competitors

CalBank’s holistic approach—finance plus careers—edges peers like Stanbic Bank’s youth accounts, which emphasize savings over integrated business environment training.

Legal Implications

No specific legal issues arose at Tertiary Unlocked 2025. However, edtech platforms like Task2Hire must comply with Ghana’s Data Protection Act (Act 843) for user privacy. Internships follow Labour Act provisions ensuring fair compensation and no exploitation of minors. Participants should review terms for data handling and dispute resolution.

Conclusion

CalBank’s reaffirmation at Tertiary Unlocked 2025 cements its role in fostering financial literacy for Ghanaian teens and seamless workforce entry. Through Task2Hire and interactive sessions, it equips youth with tools for innovation and success. As Ghana’s economy grows, such programs are pivotal, urging banks, educators, and families to collaborate. Teens ready to design their tertiary journey should explore similar opportunities for lasting impact.

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