By Edward Dankwah
Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – Madam Comfort Ocran, Executive Director, Springboard Road Show Foundation, has urged Ghanaian youth to believe in their own potential, indicating that ideas backed by courage and consistency could evolve into life-changing movements.
She said many of Ghana’s development challenges required fresh perspectives, and young people through their creativity, technological skills, and bold ideas were uniquely positioned to provide them because their potential was directly linked to the nation’s progress.
The Executive Director was speaking at the Grand Finale of the Springboard Road Show 2025, on the “Ghana Grows Programme” organised by the Foundation with support from Mastercard Foundation, ABSA Ghana and other relevant partners.
Madam Ocran said the initiative had moved beyond auditoriums into communities across all 16 regions and that more than 500,000 young people had been engaged so far, including 145,605 in 2025 alone, with 93.3 per cent being young women and 3,469 participants being persons with disabilities.
The Executive Director said the programme had shown clearly that Ghanaian youth were not lacking talent but opportunity, structure, and mentors who affirmed their potential.
She added that young participants had developed new skills, launched micro-businesses, entered agriculture and agribusiness, and turned previously idle time into productive ventures.
Madam Ocran called for expanded support, stating that although the programme had reached 48 districts, demand continued to grow nationwide.
She said opportunities existed across the agricultural value chain, hence encouraging the youth to start small, remain disciplined and stay committed to growth.
“You are not the leaders of tomorrow: you are the leaders of today. Protect your dreams and build supportive communities,” she stressed.
Madam Ocran encouraged the youth to take bold first steps in starting their own initiatives since growth was not a moment but a discipline.
Mr Albert Ocran, Technical Director, Springboard Road Show Foundation, charged the youth to unite, collaborate, and deliver exceptional value as the Programme entered a new phase after surpassing its target of engaging 500,000 young people nationwide.
He emphasised that the next stage of the programme went beyond celebrating individual success stories, calling for the creation of “one interconnected nationwide success story,” a united force of young innovators driving national development.
He outlined two key commitments required to sustain this momentum: the need for young people to consistently deliver extra value in their work, and the importance of helping one another rise.
Mr Ocran said building a strong positive reputation or reputational equity would open doors for participants throughout their careers, noting that many employers already regarded Springboard alumni as trustworthy and high performing.
He highlighted ongoing partnerships including with ABSA Bank for financial inclusion and the Ghana Psychological Association for psychosocial support, as crucial pillars helping participants build resilience and long-term success.
The Technical Director expressed gratitude to government, development partners, traditional authorities, industry associations and community organisations for their roles in the programme’s national impact.
“We have the people, we have the ideas, we have the energy, what we need now is unity of purpose and the courage to build the future together,” he said.
He urged the youth to carry the programme’s values into their communities, businesses and workplaces as Ghana Grows shifts from
mobilisation to long-term transformation.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei