A Capacity-building workshop aimed at equipping participants with critical 21st Century Skills for professional development has been organised for some selected National Service personnel from the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
Participants for the workshop were thoughtfully chosen, with particular emphasis on young women, Persons with disabilities (PWDs), and a select group of male participants.
The four-day training is being held under the auspices of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) programme; Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), and the Mastercard Foundation.
The workshop which was held at the School of Graduate Studies seeks to empower participants to become successful entrepreneurs and also equip them in the competitive job market.
The participants were taken through topics such as creativity, critical thinking, personal mastery, and soft skills such as teamwork and communication, which are vital for career and personal development.
Prof. (Mrs.) Mavis Benneh Mensah giving her remark at the opening ceremony
Opening the workshop, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, who was represented by the Director of Centre for Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Development (CESSED), Prof. (Mrs.) Mavis Benneh Mensah encouraged participants to seize the opportunities presented by the workshop for personal development and success.
She indicated that the UCC as an inclusive university continues to create avenues to reinvigorate entrepreneurship spirit among its students through established offices like the Design Thinking and Innovation Hub and the Business Incubator. “We attach importance to equipping our students with entrepreneurial skills and to this end, our University runs Entrepreneurship as a liberal course for Level 300 undergraduate students” she noted.
She further stated that that the agricultural value chain presents a lucrative opportunity for young people to find dignified and fulfilling work.
The TAGDev 2.0 Programme Coordinator, Prof. Festus Annor-Frempong, emphasised the broader purpose of the initiative, which aligns with the goal of empowering Africa's youth for socio-economic development.
He underscored the importance of the "Four Cs" in education: “Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration”.
Prof. Festus Annor-Frempong speaking at the workshop
Prof. Annor-Frempong encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions and set specific goals for personal growth, particularly in entrepreneurial ventures like agriculture.
He urged the personnel to take every opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills, especially in a world where complacency and stagnation could lead to obsolescence.
The Regional Manager of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Cape Coast), Madam Benedicta Anita Mensah, inspired attendees with a call to confidence and resilience.
Madam Benedicta Anita Mensah motivating the participants
"The skills you acquire in school are transferable to the job market—be confident in applying them," she stated. She also advised participants to cultivate creativity, humility, and strong interpersonal relationships while avoiding procrastination to thrive in dynamic work environments.
The Chairperson for the opening ceremony, Prof. Mavis S. B. Mensah, representing the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, underlined the value of effective networking and lifelong learning. She encouraged participants to explore opportunities in agriculture, describing it as a profitable and transformative sector.
Dr. Wincharles Coker
A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Communication Studies, Dr. Wincharles Coker, who took the personnel through soft skills training, stressed on the importance of effective communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence to the development personal and professional success.
He advised participants to hone the aforementioned skills to navigate workplace dynamics and achieve their goals.
About TAGDev 2.0 Programme
TAGDev 2.0 is a collaboration between RUFORUM, Mastercard Foundation, 12 African universities and the Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for Agricultural and Life Sciences (GCHERA).
The main objective is to strengthen universities and TVET institutions to better serve communities by skilling and empowering Africa's young people and their institutions to drive inclusive, equitable and climate resilient transformation of agriculture and agrifood systems. This goal will contribute to three strategic outcomes:
Source: Documentation and Information Section