Numbers, stories, and SDG-aligned outcomes from GLOMEF work

My name is Forson Lawrence, from Sunyani Area 1. My life has been a journey of loss, struggle, and transformation. I lost my father at a young age, and not long after, my mother also travelled, leaving me in the care of my grandmother. She did her best to support me through Senior High School, but life was not easy. The financial challenges we faced exposed me to bad influences, and I found myself drifting into harmful activities, including drug use and petty crime. After SHS, I tried to rebuild my life by learning painting work, hoping to earn an honest living. But the income was not enough, and I fell back into illegal activities. Eventually, I was arrested. That moment, and my time in police custody, became the wake-up call I needed. It forced me to reflect on my life and the path I was taking. Through the intervention of a local assembly member, I was introduced to the Resilient City for Adolescents (RCA) project. That opportunity changed everything for me. Through RCA, I discovered a new purpose. I was elected as the Adolescent Member of Parliament for Sunyani Area 1 and later served as the 2nd Deputy Speaker. Today, I represent young people on four different committees at the local Assembly and actively participate in community discussions. The project also equipped me with skills in ICT, journalism, and fashion design, and I was supported with an industrial sewing machine. Now, I earn a living through tailoring and use my voice on radio platforms to advocate for youth development. My dream is to establish a fashion centre to train and support vulnerable young people, giving them a second chance—just like I was given. End……

My name is Ishaq Umar Rahima. I was born in Sunyani and raised in Yawhima, where life tested me early. I have only seen my father once, and growing up with my mother and stepfather came with emotional and financial struggles. Despite the discouragement I often faced at home, I stayed determined and focused on my education, successfully completing Junior High School. I gained admission to Serwaa Kesse Senior High School with a strong desire to become a journalist, but family pressure pushed me into a technical path. While trying to adjust, I became pregnant during school—a moment many believed would end my dreams. But I refused to give up. With little support, I continued attending school throughout my pregnancy and completed my education. My turning point came when I joined the Resilient City for Adolescents (RCA) project through a community referral. Through this platform, I was elected Adolescent Member of Parliament for Yawhima and later became Majority Leader. The project reignited my passion for journalism and gave me the tools to tell impactful stories. One of my stories contributed to the construction of a three-unit classroom block for my former school. Today, I host a radio talk show focused on adolescent issues, giving young people a voice. I have also represented Ghana at international events, including the World Urban Forum in Cairo and an exchange program in India, and visited Ghana’s National Parliament. In 2025, I was honoured at the Ghana Leadership Awards as the Most Promising Young Leader of the Year. Today, I continue to advocate for young people, especially girls, using my stories to inspire change. End… 

My name is Yaa Vera, and I was born on April 2, 2004. I live in Sunyani Magazine with my aunt, who has become my greatest support. My life began with pain and uncertainty. I never knew my mother. My father told me she abandoned me at the hospital shortly after I was born, and she never returned. Growing up without a mother left a deep emptiness in my life. For some time, my father tried to take care of me, visiting occasionally and providing what he could. But everything changed when he remarried. My stepmother refused to accept me as part of the family. Eventually, my father relocated with his new wife, and I was left behind. I lost contact with him completely. By then, I was in Class Six. Without financial support, I had no choice but to stop school. Life became extremely difficult. I felt alone, confused, and without direction. During that period, I fell into bad company. I started moving with “ghetto boys,” and they introduced me to smoking marijuana. I stayed in that lifestyle for over two years, and it nearly destroyed me. Later, I met a young man who promised to help me return to school. He kept his word and enrolled me again. I was hopeful, but that hope didn’t last long. While in JHS 2, I became pregnant and had to drop out once more. After giving birth, I moved in with him, but things soon turned sour. He stopped taking care of me and our child. Sometimes, we didn’t even have food. I realized I had to leave. I reached out to my aunt, and she welcomed me with open arms. That decision saved my life. Even though I later fell seriously ill, I remained determined to rebuild my future. When I heard about the RCA project, I applied with my aunt, and we were both accepted into Kenzy Fashion Institute. Today, I am learning fashion design—a skill I have always loved. Now, I have hope again. My dream is to own my own fashion shop and build a better life for myself and my child.

My name is Paulina Wepia. I am originally from Paga in the Upper East Region, though I was born in Kumasi. After my father passed away, my mother raised me until she remarried, and we moved to Goaso. Life became difficult, and I had to drop out of school to support my family by hawking eggs, maize, and water. With encouragement from my mother, I returned to school and completed Junior High School at 18. However, I became pregnant shortly after my exams and later had two more children, facing serious hardship as a young mother of three. During this challenging period, a friend introduced me to the Resilient City for Adolescents (RCA) project. I joined the bakery training program, where I received free training, tools, and some start-up support. Through this opportunity, I gained skills in baking products such as cookies, pies, doughnuts, and cakes. Today, I use these skills to produce and sell baked goods to support my children. I also receive occasional orders for events, which helps improve my income. My dream is to establish a fully equipped bakery business in Sunyani. With additional support, I believe I can achieve this and build a better future for my family. End………

My name is Vivian Asante Amponsah. I was born on October 19, 2004. My parents separated when I was only two years old, and from that moment my mother carried the responsibility of raising me alone. Growing up without my father was difficult and painful. I often questioned why he was absent from my life and wondered what it would feel like to have him around. I first saw him when I was ten years old while I was admitted to the hospital for severe stomach pains. I recognized him from pictures and excitedly called him “Daddy.” He came to me, asked a few questions, gave me one cedi, and left. Though brief, that moment remained in my heart for years. As I grew older, life became more challenging. Sometimes I was sent home from school because my fees had not been paid. My mother struggled financially but never stopped fighting for my future. Through her sacrifices, I completed Senior High School in 2023. After school, I wanted to study fashion design, but my father wanted me to pursue law. I followed my passion instead. After several disappointments and setbacks, my stepfather supported me to join Kenzy Fashion Institute, while the RCA project strengthened my journey. Today, I have hope and dream of becoming strong like an iroko tree, standing firm and helping others.

My name is Ayabila Madina. I am originally from Bawku but was born in Sunyani and later raised by my grandmother in Bawku. She supported my education up to JHS 2, but due to challenges at home and my loss of interest in school, I became pregnant at the age of 16 and dropped out. This brought disappointment from my family, and I faced neglect, especially from my father. Life became even more difficult when I moved in with the father of my child, who failed to support me during pregnancy. After giving birth, I decided not to return to school but to learn a skill instead. Through my uncle’s support, I joined the RCA project and enrolled in fashion design training at Kenzy Fashion Institute in Sunyani. The journey was not easy. I faced financial struggles and had to care for my baby while attending training. Despite walking long distances daily with my child, I remained determined. With support from the RCA project, including free training, uniforms, and an industrial sewing machine, I gained valuable skills. Today, I can sew clothes for clients and earn income to support myself and my child. My dream is to open my own shop and help other young women overcome similar challenges. End……

My name is Elizabeth Afrah. I was born on August 28, 1999, and I completed Senior High School in 2020. I once had a strong dream of becoming an accountant and building a better future for myself and my family. However, life took a different path than I had imagined. My father became seriously ill and later passed away. After his death, his family took most of his properties, leaving my mother and her six children with very little to survive on. We relocated to Wa, hoping for a better life, but things became even more difficult. During that period, I was pressured to marry my cousin, but I refused because I wanted to pursue my own future and ambitions. Later, I returned to Sunyani and entered a relationship with a man who promised to support me and my family. Initially, things seemed promising, but after I gave birth to our child, he became abusive. Fearing for my safety, I made the difficult decision to leave. I struggled through unstable jobs and eventually started a small mobile money business. Then I joined the RCA project and enrolled at Kenzy Fashion Institute. Today, I can sew clothes and receive small orders. My confidence has been restored, and my dream is to own a fashion shop and support struggling youth.

After months of raising my voice on radio and on social media in support of young people at Africa Faith Basic School in the Yawhima community, city authorities led by the Mayor and Member of Parliament have taken steps to build a 3-unit classroom block for the school; I feel very proud that the Mayor invited me to witness the sod-cutting ceremony. And now the classroom block is completed, furnished and being utilized by the school.

My name is Harriet Akua Takyiwaa. I was born on October 21, 2000. From the beginning, life was not easy for me. My father did not accept responsibility for me, so my mother raised me alone. She struggled daily to provide for my needs, and I grew up understanding what hardship truly meant. While I was in school, I didn’t just focus on my studies—I also helped my mother by selling fruits and candies to support our daily needs. Despite the challenges, I remained determined and completed Senior High School in 2019. Around that time, my father reappeared in my life. He wanted to support me to pursue nursing, but I needed to improve my results first. I suggested attending remedial classes, but my stepmother opposed the idea and insisted I learn a trade instead. That was how I entered my first fashion apprenticeship. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. Instead of learning, I was mostly doing house chores and helping with my trainer’s food business. I felt frustrated and wasted. Eventually, I returned to Sunyani, hoping for a better opportunity. I tried another apprenticeship for three years, but even after all that time, I realized I had not learned any meaningful skills. I felt stuck and confused about my future. When my father passed away, it made everything worse. I felt completely lost and didn’t know what to do next. Then I heard about the RCA project. I applied and was accepted into Kenzy Fashion Institute, and that became my turning point. The training was different—structured, supportive, and practical. Within a short time, I learned more than I had in years. Today, I can sew confidently and even take small jobs to earn income. I have also been given an industrial sewing machine, which has changed my life. Although I once dreamed of becoming a nurse, I have now found passion in fashion. My goal is to open my own shop and train other young people like me.