Kpando, Volta Region — A significant milestone in youth and women’s empowerment was celebrated at Wizzy’s Emo Restaurant in Kpando, as the Emo Foundation graduated 13 young women who successfully completed a three-year vocational training programme designed to equip teenage mothers with practical skills and opportunities for economic independence.
The graduates comprised six hairdressers and seven seamstresses, all of whom were sponsored by the Emo Foundation throughout their three years of training.
The graduation ceremony brought together traditional leaders, education officials, sponsors, trainers, representatives of the Foundation, community members and other stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of the young women and reflect on the importance of empowering girls and young mothers through skills development.
From Research to an Empowerment Project
The journey behind the programme can be traced to 2022, when Caitlin Weyns, a graduate student in Social Work from Belgium, undertook an internship with the Emo Foundation.
During her internship, Weyns conducted research into teenage pregnancy, examining issues surrounding teenage mothers and the challenges they face.
Her research findings, together with the Emo Foundation’s existing plans for supporting girls, contributed to the development and launch of the Teenage Mothers Empowerment Project.
The initiative was subsequently renamed the Girls Empowerment Project, reflecting the Foundation’s broader commitment to empowering girls and young women.
The programme has since provided beneficiaries with an opportunity to acquire practical vocational skills that can serve as a foundation for self-reliance and income generation.
Three Years of Training, Now a New Beginning
For the 13 graduates, the ceremony marked the culmination of three years of apprenticeship training.
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| The Graduates |
Six of the graduates were trained in hairdressing, while seven received training in dressmaking and sewing.
Throughout the programme, the Emo Foundation sponsored their training, providing the beneficiaries with an opportunity to acquire skills that could enable them to establish their own livelihoods.
The graduation therefore represented more than the completion of an apprenticeship. It marked the transition of the beneficiaries from trainees to skilled young women prepared to enter the world of work.
A Call to Independence
One of the key messages delivered during the ceremony came from Mama Ambadza III, Queenmother of Kpando Gadza, who chaired the occasion and is also one of the sponsors of the programme.
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| Mama Ambadza III (In the middle) |
In her acceptance speech, Mama Ambadza III reflected on the origins of the teenage mothers' initiative and the contribution of the Foundation's international supporters from Belgium.
She encouraged the graduates to make meaningful use of the skills they had acquired and to pursue productive livelihoods.
Her message centred on the importance of young women having something meaningful to do, becoming economically independent and building confidence through their own abilities.
Foundation Explains Purpose of the Gathering
The Manager of the Emo Foundation, Moses Agbotse, also explained the purpose of the gathering, emphasising that the event was not simply a graduation ceremony but an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the beneficiaries and celebrate the impact of the Foundation's investment in skills development.
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| Moses Agbotse (The gentleman you can see) |
The Foundation's work extends beyond vocational training. Located in Kpando at the shores of Lake Volta, Emo Foundation operates a guesthouse, restaurant and bar and offers tourism-related activities.
Its broader objective is to create employment and use proceeds from its activities to support young people and communities.
The Foundation's guiding philosophy is captured in its statement:
“We think global, but act local.”
Programme Overview Presented by Madam Fafa Asamany
A brief overview of the training programme was presented by Madam Fafa Asamany, who highlighted the journey of the beneficiaries and the purpose of equipping them with practical vocational skills.
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| Madam Fafa Asamany (In the white dress) |
The presentation offered an opportunity for guests to understand the significance of the training and the transformation that the beneficiaries had undergone throughout the three-year apprenticeship period.
Support from Education and Traditional Leadership
The ceremony also featured Madam Peace Attah, Municipal Girls Education Officer for Kpando, who served as the second Chairperson.
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| Madam Peace Attah (on the left) |
Madam Peace Attah is also a sponsor of the programme and served as a resource person during the preparatory stages before the project began.
Her involvement highlighted the importance of collaboration between community stakeholders and organisations working to improve opportunities for girls and young women.
The event further received support from traditional leadership.
Semanu Ama Dzesi attended as a special guest representing Mama Ankua II, Anyigbe Nyonufiaga (Queenmother) of Kpando Fesi.
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| Semanu Ama Dzesi (On the left) |
Her presence demonstrated the support of traditional leadership for programmes aimed at equipping young people with skills and creating pathways towards greater independence.
Symbolic Graduation Rites
The ceremony featured several symbolic moments marking the transition of the apprentices from training into professional life.
The hairdressing graduates participated in a ceremonial removal of their scarves, while the seamstress graduates also underwent a symbolic cloth-removal ceremony.
The moments represented the completion of their apprenticeship journey and their readiness to begin applying the skills they had acquired.
A particularly significant part of the ceremony came when the trainers blessed each graduate and formally released them to go out and work.
The blessing and release constituted the actual graduation rites, symbolising the transition from apprenticeship to professional life.
The young women were encouraged to carry the knowledge, discipline and skills acquired during their training into the next chapter of their lives.
A Gesture of Gratitude to Their Trainers
In a touching display of appreciation, the graduates presented their madams with food gifts.
The gesture was intended to recognise the trainers for their patience, guidance, mentorship and dedication throughout the three-year training period.
The graduates also presented a special gift to the Emo Foundation in gratitude for sponsoring their training and supporting their journey.
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| Donation to Emo Foundation |
The presentations provided an emotional reminder that the success of an apprenticeship programme depends not only on the learners but also on the trainers, sponsors and institutions that invest in their development.
Celebrating Skills, Resilience and Opportunity
The graduation of the 13 young women represents an important example of how vocational education can create opportunities for young mothers to develop practical skills and pursue economic independence.
For beneficiaries who entered the programme as teenage mothers, completing three years of training represents a significant personal milestone.
Their graduation demonstrates the potential of targeted skills development programmes to provide young women with practical tools to rebuild their confidence, establish livelihoods and contribute to their families and communities.
The Emo Foundation's approach also demonstrates the value of connecting social intervention with sustainable economic activities.
By operating its guesthouse, restaurant, bar and tourism activities while directing resources towards community development, the Foundation seeks to combine enterprise, employment creation and social impact.
Looking Ahead
As the 13 graduates leave their apprenticeship programmes, the next phase of their journey will be about putting their skills into practice.
Whether through employment, establishing their own businesses or continuing to develop their expertise, the graduates now have a foundation upon which to build their future.
The ceremony at Wizzy's Emo Restaurant was therefore not simply a celebration of certificates or the completion of training. It was a celebration of second chances, skills, resilience and the power of investment in young women.
For Emo Foundation and its partners, the graduation reinforces a continuing commitment to empowering girls and young people in Kpando and contributing to the wellbeing of the wider community.
And for the 13 graduates, the message is clear: the training may be over, but the real journey has just begun.
By: Prosper Wise Amegbe
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