Comfort Ocran Inspires Youth Leaders: Springboard Road Show Foundation Celebrates 18 Years with Ghana Grows Programme

Explore the transformative impact of Springboard’s youth empowerment initiatives in Ghana, including the Ghana Grows programme partnership with Mastercard Foundation, reaching millions in agriculture, agribusiness, and TVET sectors.

Introduction

The Springboard Road Show Foundation marked a significant milestone by celebrating 18 years of youth empowerment in Ghana during its 2025 Grand Finale on November 22 at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). Executive Director Comfort Ocran delivered a powerful message to hundreds of attendees: “You are the leaders of today.” This event highlighted the foundation’s ongoing commitment to equipping young people with practical skills for leadership and economic growth.

Since its inception in 2007, Springboard has impacted millions of youth across Ghana and West Africa through national interventions. The Ghana Grows programme, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, exemplifies this dedication, focusing on agriculture, agribusiness, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) pathways. This gathering of over 6,000 participants, including youth, persons with disabilities, traditional leaders, and institutional heads, underscored the programme’s role in reshaping career perceptions and fostering community livelihoods.

Event Overview and Attendance

The Grand Finale drew a diverse audience exceeding 6,000, featuring young women, young men, persons with disabilities, and key stakeholders. It served as a platform for recognition, inspiration, and forward-looking strategies in youth development Ghana.

Analysis

Springboard Road Show Foundation’s 18-year journey reveals a strategic evolution in youth empowerment Ghana. Comfort Ocran’s reaffirmation that the Ghana Grows programme “is not ending today; it is only beginning” signals sustained investment in young leaders. This programme has engaged over 500,000 participants nationwide, with 145,605 youth in 2025 alone—93.3% of whom were young women. Additionally, 3,469 persons with disabilities participated across all 16 regions, promoting inclusive growth.

The foundation’s interventions have shifted youth towards high-impact sectors like agriculture and TVET, leading to improved community livelihoods. Rev. Albert Ocran, Technical Director, emphasized excellence, collaboration, and value introduction as pillars for success. This aligns with broader trends, such as a 193% rise in TVET enrolment since 2020, as noted by Mastercard Foundation’s Emelia Asamoah.

Impact on Key Sectors

Agriculture and agribusiness have transitioned from perceived “fallback options” to innovative, future-focused careers. Dr. Kafui Mills-Odoi’s advice on building competence and confidence further analyzes how preparation enables youth to secure and advance in jobs, amplifying their influence.

Inclusivity Metrics

The high participation of young women (93.3%) and persons with disabilities demonstrates targeted inclusivity, addressing gender and disability gaps in Ghana’s workforce development.

Summary

In summary, Springboard’s 18th anniversary Grand Finale celebrated 18 years of empowering over a million youth since 2007. The Ghana Grows programme, backed by Mastercard Foundation, engaged 500,000+ participants, with standout 2025 figures: 145,605 youth (mostly young women) and 3,469 persons with disabilities. Speakers like Comfort Ocran, Rev. Albert Ocran, Emelia Asamoah, and Dr. Kafui Mills-Odoi inspired attendees to embrace leadership, collaboration, and skill-building in agriculture, agribusiness, and TVET. Five young innovators were honored, reinforcing the programme’s tangible outcomes.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Drawing from the speakers’ insights, here is actionable guidance for youth empowerment participants:

From Comfort Ocran

Treat hope as a practical skill. Engage actively in programmes like Ghana Grows to build leadership from today, not tomorrow.

From Rev. Albert Ocran

Prioritize excellence, collaboration, and value introduction. Build networks, share successes, and work collectively: “If you want to go farther and faster, go together.” Focus on national market contributions through teamwork.

From Emelia Asamoah and Dr. Kafui Mills-Odoi

Reshape perceptions of agriculture and TVET as innovative paths. Pursue opportunities with confidence, preparation, and competence. Understand challenges to create solutions, ensuring job security and growth. Amplify your voice through influence and readiness.

These steps provide a roadmap for young Ghanaians to thrive in high-demand sectors.

Points of Caution

While Springboard’s model shows promise, participants should note the need for sustained effort beyond events. Comfort Ocran’s warning that programmes like Ghana Grows are “only beginning” cautions against complacency—continuous skill application is essential. Rev. Albert Ocran’s emphasis on collaboration highlights risks of isolation in market-building. Additionally, as TVET and agriculture evolve, youth must stay adaptable to sector changes, avoiding over-reliance on initial training without ongoing development.

Sustainability Focus

Honorees’ success stems from persistent innovation; attendees are advised to monitor progress and seek peer support to mitigate dropout risks in vocational pathways.

Comparison

Comparing 2025 Ghana Grows metrics to historical trends reveals acceleration: from programme launch to over 500,000 total participants, with 145,605 in one year alone—surpassing prior annual figures. Young women’s 93.3% share in 2025 exceeds typical empowerment programme averages, emphasizing Springboard’s gender focus. TVET enrolment’s 193% rise since 2020 outpaces national averages, crediting Ghana Grows’ influence.

Vs. Broader West Africa Impact

Springboard’s reach spans West Africa, but Ghana-centric data shows deeper penetration: millions impacted regionally vs. precise Ghana metrics like 3,469 disabled participants in 2025.

Awards and Recognition

The 2025 Young Innovators Awards (3 young women, 2 persons with disabilities) build on prior recognitions, showcasing progressive inclusivity.

Legal Implications

No direct legal implications arise from the event, as it focuses on voluntary youth empowerment, partnerships, and awards. However, compliance with Ghana’s educational and labor laws underpins TVET and agribusiness pathways, ensuring certifications align with national standards like those from the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET). Mastercard Foundation collaborations adhere to international funding regulations, promoting ethical resource use.

Conclusion

Springboard Road Show Foundation’s 18-year celebration, led by Comfort Ocran’s rallying cry, reaffirms youth as today’s leaders in Ghana’s development. The Ghana Grows programme’s successes—inclusivity, sector shifts, and massive participation—pave the way for economic resilience. By heeding advice on collaboration, excellence, and preparation, young Ghanaians can sustain this momentum, transforming communities through agriculture, agribusiness, and TVET. This milestone not only honors the past but ignites a bolder future for youth empowerment Ghana.

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