What was once considered waste is now becoming a powerful tool for transformation in Tamale, as a total of 113 young people have been empowered with practical skills to turn discarded materials into opportunity and livelihoods.
Through a bold and hands-on intervention by EcoGreen Oases Legacy, participants are now creating marketable products from waste while building pathways to sustainable livelihoods.
The Green Skills Training Programme, held at the Bagabaga College of Education in Tamale, brought together youth, women, and vulnerable groups for an intensive three-day experience that combined innovation, entrepreneurship, and climate action.
Led by Queen Nihad Titiaka Oases Ibrahim, the Executive Director of EcoGreen Oases Legacy and Winner of Ghana’s Most Beautiful 2024, the initiative is redefining how communities perceive waste; shifting the narrative from disposal to opportunity.
“We are not just training people; we are transforming mindsets and building a new generation of innovators,” she said during her closing remarks.
The impact of the training was evident as participants showcased products developed from recycled materials; demonstrating creativity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. For many, the programme represents a turning point; from unemployment to enterprise, and from uncertainty to possibility.
The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, in remarks delivered on his behalf by the Northern Regional Budget Analyst, Mr. Mahamudu Haruna, described the initiative as a game-changer for youth empowerment and climate action.
He commended EcoGreen Oases Legacy for what he noted was a timely and impactful intervention in addressing both unemployment and environmental challenges in the region, and urged other partners; both locally and internationally to support and scale such initiatives for greater impact.
“This initiative shows that the solution to our challenges lies in the creativity and resilience of our people,” he noted, urging beneficiaries to become ambassadors of change within their communities.
Beyond the inspiration, the programme was grounded in strong international and development collaboration. The initiative was supported by the German Sparkassenstiftung Western Africa (DSIK), the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development (GEC), and GIZ.
Speaking at the ceremony, DSIK Project Coordinator, Mr. Benjamin Tawiah Adomako, highlighted the broader vision behind the intervention, noting that the programme is part of a strategic effort to equip returnees and vulnerable groups with practical, market-relevant skills that can drive reintegration, enterprise development, and long-term economic resilience.
He emphasized that partnerships like these are critical in building sustainable, community-driven solutions that address both unemployment and environmental challenges.
Other key stakeholders present included the Northern Regional Labour Officer, Mr. Mustapha Alhassan, Ms. Ruth Mensah, GIZ Northern Regional Representative, Mr. Iddrisu Ibrahim Oases, a Senior Lecturer at the Tamale Technical University all of whom underscored the importance of sustained collaboration in expanding opportunities for youth and vulnerable groups.
One of the most inspiring moments of the ceremony was the recognition of outstanding participants. An innovative trainee, Adam Suad Malbiyara, captivated the audience with a sofa and storage unit crafted from discarded car tyres, turning waste into functional art and enterprise.
Groups were also awarded start-up capital and training materials to kick start their businesses, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to impact beyond the classroom.
Presenting the awards, the Project Coordinator, Prince A. A. Sadat delivered a powerful charge to participants: “This is not the end; it is the beginning. The real work starts now.”
The Paramount Chief of the Sagnarigu Traditional Area, Sagnar Naa Ambassador Yakubu Abdulai, who had earlier received the EcoGreen team ahead of the programme in his palace, was represented at the ceremony by Chief Yakubu Abdulai Andani (Sagnarigu Kukuo Naa). In his remarks, he commended the initiative and encouraged beneficiaries to apply the skills acquired to improve their livelihoods, uplift their communities and contribute to local development.
Behind the success of the programme was a team of experienced facilitators who combined expertise with hands-on mentorship to deliver a truly transformative experience. The training was led by Mr. Arnold Andrew Asafu-Adjeye, an international media & communications consultant and mentorship coach who guided participants in entrepreneurship and financial literacy; Queen Nihad Titiaka Oases Ibrahim, who provided strategic leadership on climate action; Mr. Mohammed Alhassan, who led intensive upcycling and product development sessions; Mrs. Anthoinet Ohene-Amoah, who facilitated digital and business skills training; and Mr. Issahaku Abdul-Latif, who focused on marketing and enterprise development and Prince A. A. Sadat, Project Coordinator, also played a key role in training delivery and participant engagement. Together, their approach ensured participants did not just learn; but created, practiced, and prepared for real-world application.
With hands-on sessions, group work, and enterprise development at its core, the training ensured that learning translated into tangible outcomes, equipping participants with tools to build independent and sustainable futures.
As the Tamale cohort comes to a close, EcoGreen Oases Legacy is already setting its sights on the next phase in Techiman in the Bono East Region, where another cohort of 100 beneficiaries will be empowered.
But for those who participated, the journey has already begun.
