How Hajia Memuna changes lives in Tamale
For Hajia Memuna Kaleem, the decision to invest her time, resources and energy into training young people in Northern Ghana was driven by years of lived experience, quiet observation and a deep desire to make a difference.
Her story reflects the realities of many self-made women through the struggles endured, the opportunities created, and the commitment to lifting others along the way.
Sharing her journey with The Mirror last Sunday, she said her path into empowerment work began long before the establishment of her training centre.
Born in 1967, Hajia Memuna stepped into responsibility early in life after the passing of her father at age 21. As the eldest sibling, she took on the role of supporting her family, a transition that pushed her directly into the world of work.
From working at the Ghana Embassy in Benin to collaborating with USAID, she built a diverse career across sectors, later venturing into trading and entrepreneurship.
Over time, she identified a gap that would shape her future. Through her work with international organisations, she became the go-to person for coordinating logistics, booking hotels and organising events for visitors coming into Ghana.
What began as a favour soon revealed a business opportunity.
“I realised people were willing to pay for something I was doing easily,” she said.
The business
In 2000, she formally established an event planning business dubbed Brooks Support Services, pioneering corporate events and conference management in Ghana. For nearly two decades, she built a reputation for delivering professional and well-coordinated events.
But beyond the success, she began to notice a recurring challenge where many young people lacked the skills, exposure and opportunities needed to thrive.
“I would recruit young people to support events. Some had dropped out of school or couldn’t afford further education. And some were university students. I trained them and mentored them, and I realised this could be something bigger,” she explained.
What started informally soon became a calling.
The turning point
In 2009, she registered the Brooks Dreams Foundation, formalising her charitable efforts. By 2016, she had taken a bold step by using savings from her event planning business to establish a skills training centre in Tamale.
The decision, she said, was deliberate.
“I wanted to start on my own and see what I could do before seeking support,” she noted.
Choosing Tamale was both strategic and personal. It was a region she understood well, where operational costs, according to her, were lower and the need for such intervention was greater.
The centre was set up to equip disadvantaged youth, particularly school dropouts, with employable skills to bridge socio-economic gaps.
Training and impact
The programme offers training in fashion and garment making, cosmetology, beadwork, ICT, entrepreneurship, English and mathematics.
Students receive accredited certification from the National Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), giving them recognised qualifications for employment or further education.
She said many of the students used their certificates to seek employment in the security services.
However, demand for the programme continued to grow.
“We had over 300 applicants this year, but we could only take 60,” she said.
Over the past decade, the centre has trained about 1,000 young people, the majority of whom are women.
Occasionally, Hajia Memuna travels to other regions, particularly Accra and offers training workshops.
Many graduates have gone on to establish their own businesses, while others return as facilitators, continuing the cycle of mentorship and empowerment.
Beyond skills training, the centre also serves as a safe space, offering guidance, counselling and a sense of belonging for many young people navigating difficult circumstances, including unemployed university graduates coming in to learn a skill.
Faith and values
For Hajia Memuna, her work is guided by values rooted in faith and humanity.
“Across all religions, the fundamentals are the same: we are told to be kind, be honest, do good,” she said.
She emphasised that the centre does not discriminate on the basis of religion or background, welcoming all who are willing to learn.
Looking ahead
Despite the progress made, she acknowledges that challenges remain, particularly in funding and capacity.
The growing demand means many willing trainees are turned away due to limited space and resources.
Her vision is to expand the facility, introduce more training programmes and build partnerships that will make the initiative self-sustaining.
She said she would be grateful for support from individuals and organisations.
“The need is great, and the more centres we have, the more lives we can change,” she noted.
Reward and purpose
Hajia Memuna describes her most fulfilling moments as when trainees showcase their skills, walk proudly with confidence, and take their first steps towards independence during graduation ceremonies.
“It’s the joy of seeing them succeed. Some come back with what they’ve made for me. It makes me proud,” she said.
She encourages young people to embrace hard work and remain open to learning, regardless of where they start.
“No job is too small. There is dignity in working. You can start small, but you must aim higher,” she advised.
For women who aspire to make a difference, her message is simple:
“Whatever little you can do is never too small. Little drops of water make a mighty ocean.”
Hajia Memuna’s work stands as a testament to what is possible when purpose meets action.
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