You are today’s leaders - Comfort Ocran rallies youth as Springboard marks 18 years
The Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, Comfort Ocran, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to empowering young people through Springboard.
Addressing thousands of participants as Springboard Road Show celebrated 18 years of nationwide impact at its 2025 Grand Finale held in Accra on November 22, Mrs Ocran said the Ghana Grows programme “is not ending today; it is only beginning”, adding that hope must be treated as a practical skill young people can apply.
She stated that since 2007, Springboard’s nationwide interventions had reached more than one million young people across Ghana and West Africa.
Under the Ghana Grows programme, delivered in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Springboard has engaged more than 500,000 participants. In 2025 alone, 145,605 young people took part, with young women making up 93.3 per cent of the total.
Another 3,469 persons with disabilities participated across all 16 regions.
Mrs Ocran said many participants had moved into agriculture, agribusiness and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) pathways, contributing to better livelihoods in their communities.
Prioritise excellence
The Technical Director of the Foundation, Rev. Albert Ocran, urged the youth to prioritise excellence, collaboration and value creation as anchors for national progress.
Participants in the programme
He reminded them that progress was a collective effort, saying, “You cannot build something significant working alone; if you want to go farther and faster, go together.”
He encouraged young people to build networks, share what works and support one another as they rise.
The Grand Finale drew an audience of more than 6,000, including young women, young men, persons with disabilities, traditional leaders, institutional heads and associations.
As part of the celebration, five rising changemakers were honoured under the Young Innovators Awards.
The awardees, three young women and two persons with disabilities, included Kow Aboagye Ghunney (Agriculture), Clara Messe Akorfa (Agribusiness), David Wakpal (ATVET), Mary Tetteh (Most Promising Agripreneur and YLO Model Ambassador) and Justine Mauda A. Aniaku (Best YLO Facilitator).
Emelia Asamoah, Head of Workforce Development at the Mastercard Foundation, commended Springboard for helping reshape perceptions about agriculture and vocational careers.
She noted that TVET enrolment has risen by 193 per cent since 2020 and praised the progress of young farmers under the Ghana Grows programme, saying, “These sectors were once seen as fallback options, but Ghana Grows is proving they are innovative and future-focused.”
Comfort Ocran and Albert Ocran (arrowed) with some dignitaries after the Road Show
Building on these achievements, the Head of Inclusion for Nigeria at the Mastercard Foundation, Dr Kafui Mills-Odoi, encouraged the young innovators and wider youth audience to pursue growth with confidence and preparation.
“You must have confidence and believe, not only to secure a job, but to maintain it and grow in it,” she said.
“Your voice is not just the sound you make; it is the influence you carry.
Take time to prepare, to build competence and to understand the challenges around you so you can create real solutions.”
