The 50th cohort described their initial experience upon arrival at the GIMPA campus. They described the joy, excitement, and anxiety they felt. They reminisced on the questions that filled their minds. What will the experience be like? How will they fit in with participants from other countries? Will their expectations be met?
The mix of emotions was evident in the opening ceremony. You could sense the shyness in their responses and their demeanour. During the first few days, participants began to explore who they were, build their self-esteem, and develop their agribusiness ventures with the help of accomplished coaches and facilitators.
3 weeks after various trainings, coaching sessions, participants’ project development, and pitches, we crowned it in a closing ceremony. The ceremony was a culmination of every moment during the training and the impact made on the lives of the young leaders.
The days leading to the closing ceremony were filled with excitement and tension. You could almost feel the air around you standing still as if it were holding its breath. Unlike when they first arrived, there was a level of confidence that was a direct result of the tools and resources they received. This was evident in the grand-pitch event held on Thursday, September 5th, 2024, a day before the closing ceremony.
Jo Lesser Oltheten, Mission Director, USAID/West Africa, spent the first part of the program interacting with participants about their experience, after which she joined seasoned agribusiness professionals for the grand pitch.
Although only three out of the six groups came on top, the energetic atmosphere was proof that a metamorphosis had taken place in the minds of the agribusiness leaders. The once timid group ended their pitch with dancing and singing, a prelude to the delight that would characterise the closing ceremony.
On September 6, 2024, participants, facilitators, staff from GIMPA, and USAID representatives came together to celebrate a milestone. The event began with an agribusiness mini-fair where participants and alumni showcased their products. A brief tour of the items being showcased was proof that Africa has so much to offer beyond traditional farming. Products such as lip gloss made from shea butter and other organic materials, oils, bath soaps, spices, and fruit juices were on display. Guests went back to their seats knowing that the future of Africa was secured.
The project director of YALI RLC West Africa, Dr. Esi Sey, elegantly narrated a story of resilience, persistence, and a teachable spirit, allegorising these virtues in the story of trees debating which colour their leaves should be. The moral of the story? The colours of their leaves showed forth after being in the sun. She highlighted the gruelling process this cohort underwent and praised their determination to achieve their goals.
In her speech, Dr. Sey recounts the various tasks the group underwent, stating: “This has been a gruelling 5 weeks of online and in-person coaching, learning sessions at GIMPA and in the Volta Region, webinars, masterclasses, engagements with guest speakers, continuous pitching and group work presentations, visits to agribusinesses in and around Accra and Ho in the Volta region. organisation visits. They took it all in their stride. And the sheer amount, depth, and breadth of learning that they took from these visits made it worth it.”.
If Dr. Sey’s remarks set the stage for the Green to Gold pitches. This was an opportunity for the top three groups from the previous day’s grand pitch to present their pitches. Listening to the presenters speak with poise and confidence about ideas that could potentially change some of the world’s most critical issues was more evidence of the talent and skills this cohort represents.
Dr. Agyeman-Budu, Dean of the GIMPA Law School, expressed his pride in the 50th cohort for completing their training. He was grateful that GIMPA was able to partake in their learning journey. He advised, “As you depart, remember that the knowledge, skills, and experiences you’ve acquired are not yours alone. They are meant to be shared, applied, and multiplied to impact your communities positively. Go forth and be the changemakers, innovators, and leaders that Africa needs. Leverage the networks, resources, and support systems you’ve established here to drive sustainable growth and development in agribusiness.”.
Michelle Barett, Deputy Mission Director, USAID/West Africa, gave an exhilarating keynote address. Looking back at when she first started working on the YALI concept, she was impressed with the progress that had been made and congratulated the Regional Leadership Centre for their dedication. “Today, we’re not just celebrating your graduation; we’re celebrating your futures and the future of West Africa. You are now part of a legacy—a legacy that includes over 8,000 alumni who have walked this path before you. Congratulations to each of you for completing this program.”.
Ms. Barett reminded us that September is deaf awareness month and charged the young leaders, “Your leadership must be broad and inclusive, and create a future where everyone can thrive. You are now entrusted with the task of fostering an environment where every individual feels valued and included. This responsibility isn’t just about recognising differences; it’s about celebrating them and ensuring that each voice is heard. As you lead, carry forward this spirit of inclusivity, and let it guide your actions and decisions.”.
The event concluded with an energising talent show showcasing various talents and reinforcing the belief that Africa’s youth embody everything needed to move the continent forward. Selected participants were given awards as a way of appreciating participants who went above and beyond during their time with YALI. This year, the vote of thanks was a special moment as Jaafaru Sadiq, one of the people with’super abilities’ YALI was fortunate to have, gave an emotionally moving message, ending the ceremony and the golden cohort’s adventure on a high note.