Sowing the seeds of independence in Northern Ghana
Humanist Action Ghana’s vocational training program is located in Taha, a small community on the outskirts of Tamale. Here, there is a clear indication of the diverse socioeconomic backgrounds of the inhabitants. Girls and women in the community are frequently not offered the opportunity to pursue formal education or enroll in skill-based training. Traditional roles and economic necessity often take priority, leaving many without the foundational knowledge or marketable trade needed for financial independence.
Humanist Action Ghana and our training program did not come from abstract ideas. The vision for the organization is rooted in years of my experience working within the Northern region, implementing several women's rights projects. Although I am Ghanaian, like my foreign colleagues at the time, I was also experiencing life in the Northern region for the first time. I witnessed the daily struggles of women and girls, especially in the rural parts of the region and I saw how the lack of economic pathways and opportunities kept them vulnerable. It was this intimate access to the community that transformed my observations into motivation and overtime gave me the idea to start a Ghanaian led, women-led organization that can tackle these problems and provide long term solutions to impact the entire region.
The organization and its program were born out of necessity; to create a tangible, skills-based solution that would directly bypass the systemic barriers and empower women to earn their own way to freedom. Our commitment to local solutions is key to the project's success and sustainability. We work with local trainers, supervisors, Chiefs, and other leaders of the communities to ensure the project directly aligns with local market demands, cultural norms and the practical needs of our trainees.
Our trainees come from various communities close and far from Taha. Some of them have to walk miles to get to our center. Most of these young women are already married and with children of their own. They have dreams to end the cycle of poverty, to provide for their families and to invest in the next generation's future. Our program is not just about learning a skill; it's about igniting hope, self reliance,and entrepreneurship as these women master the art of the sewing vocation to become successful business owners.
Our aim is to run a very practical training program that focuses on hands-on mastery to build true confidence. We take into account each trainee's background to create a curriculum that ensures success in the real world.
A total of 35 graduates have already exited the program as proud business owners ready to contribute directly to the economic vitality of Northern Ghana. To ensure their seamless transition to entrepreneurship, we provide all the necessary tools and equipment they need to set up their own businesses when they graduate. This support, including sewing machines, measuring tools and other essential supplies eliminates the single biggest financial barrier to setting up a business, allowing the graduates to immediately start earning.
Today, our graduates are thriving; some are working from home, some have been able to acquire small shops, some are working for other major fashion design businesses in Tamale and other parts of Ghana. The program’s impact extends far beyond the ability to make an income for our graduates; it grants them control over their own income and decisions; it offers dignity, giving women a recognized valuable role in their communities; and crucially, it earns them a permanent seat at the economic table, empowering them to invest in their families, access resources, and shape their futures.
Yvonne Ursu is from Southern Ghana. She is 36 years old and has over 10 years experience working for non profits in Northern Ghana. She has worked mainly on projects that support women in the region. Most notably she worked on a project to bring relief and support women who had been accused of witchcraft and also a project that trains women to become entrepreneurs.