Before Dorcas first joined the Skills for School Programme, she barely spoke in class. She was shy, struggled with anxiety and often doubted herself. Standing up in class to answer a simple question felt difficult.

"The first time I answered a question during one of the training sessions, I felt proud of myself. The Skills for School programme helped me to speak up, work with others, set goals and believe that I could become a leader," Dorcas recalled.

Today, Dorcas reflects on a very different story. She served as Girls' Prefect in her final year of junior high, rose to become Sub-Commander of her school's Cadet Team, built a study group that grew from 8 to 32 students, and discovered the confidence to pursue her career dream of joining the military.

The Skills for School programme, delivered by King's Trust International in partnership with Junior Achievement Ghana, has supported more than 5,000 young people since its launch in 2020. Working with 11 to 17-year-olds across 31 schools in the Greater Accra Region, the programme focuses on young people who may be disengaged from learning or experiencing challenges with confidence, communication and self-management. Through the programme, participants develop the core skills needed to succeed in education, employment and life.

Through the partnership from Telecel Group, the programme has expanded its impact by introducing a significant digital learning component. The funding has helped improve access to essential technology and infrastructure, including the establishment of computer laboratories in seven schools within the Accra Metropolitan, Krowor and Kpone Katamanso municipalities of the Greater Accra Region.

Telecel Group's support has also enabled the development of a new digital safety module, which is now being delivered to students across all 31 participating schools.

During a recent visit to observe the sessions first-hand in one of the partner schools, executives from Telecel Ghana interacted with students whose lives are being transformed by the training. External Affairs Director of Telecel Ghana, Komla Buami, said the telecommunications multinational recognises that the digital future depends on preparing young people with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

"Telecel Group’s investment is about giving young people the confidence to speak up, solve problems, collaborate with others and use technology as a tool to create opportunities. These are the skills that are in demand in the workplace. We are pleased to see the impact the sessions are having on students’ digital and soft skills development.”

Programme Manager at Junior Achievement Ghana, Lorretta Domfeh Owusu, said the initiative targets young people who face challenges with confidence, communication, self-management and academic engagement, including learners with disabilities.

"Our partnership with Telecel Group has significantly enhanced the programme. The computers and internet access provided have enabled students to build digital skills and safely navigate the online space through our digital safeguarding module. They are also using tools like Microsoft Copilot to create vision boards for their goal setting, making learning more engaging and practical.”

Andre Harriman, Head of Delivery for Africa at King's Trust International, highlighted the importance of cross-sector partnerships in equipping young people with the skills and tools needed to succeed in an increasingly digital world.

"We are delighted that Telecel Group is supporting our work with Junior Achievement Ghana to address the critical core skills and digital infrastructure needs of young people in Ghana. This partnership has enabled us to introduce a new digital dimension to the Skills for School programme, helping students develop practical digital skills and an understanding of online safety that will support both their educational journeys and future livelihoods,” Mr. Harriman said.