The PDD ceremony, which was inspired by the American TV show Shark Tank, aimed at getting volunteer projects funded, introducing CorpsAfrica and the volunteers to networks and opportunities, promoting a culture of philanthropy in Africa and building local awareness of CorpsAfrica.

Mr Moses Cofie, Country Director for CorpsAfrica/Ghana said “a total of 16 volunteers were deployed to 16 communities across the Central, Volta and Northern Regions of Ghana to help identify their needs and support them in developing community projects such as building schools, wells, and irrigation systems, helping launch small businesses and agriculture projects, among others”.

“These amazing volunteers, who have served the communities for seven (7) months, have been able to assist their communities to identify major challenges they are facing and taken on the great responsibility of helping them solve the identified challenge”, he added.

Mr Cofie reiterated that the overarching goal of the PDD event was to promote a culture of African philanthropy and build African youth’s professional skills in proposal development, presenting, pitching, fundraising, networking, among others.

He further urged the development partners, philanthropists, corporate bodies and NGOs present to respond to the funding appeal from these volunteers to enable them achieve their respective community-identified projects.

The six (6) selected volunteers who pitched their community-identified projects were Joana Doudu Owusu, Martin Rasheed Musah, Victoria Wintonya Ndebugri, Ibrahim Ismail, Susana Kolog and Joshua Kwawuvi.

During the 5-minutes presentation, the selected volunteers provided a description, expected impact, budget and sustainability plan of projects such as facilitating trainings in Vocational Skills for women and girls in Nantong Zoo, providing teachers’ bungalow and a nursery school in Anweem Kissi, constructing a technical training workshop in Peki-Tsibu, constructing a 3-classroom block with staff room in Chanzegu, constructing a CHPS compound in Kwameatta and constructing a ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines in Kanfiehiyii.  

Some representatives from Compassionate Ghana, Vodafone Ghana, Peace Corps, Mastercard Foundation, Access Bank, Camfed, Future for Africa, Send Ghana, Global Shea Alliance, GIZ-Ghana, West Africa Civil Society Institute (WASCI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), among others witnessed the maiden PDD ceremony.