I M P A C T S T O R Y
Magnus Abakah Boakye’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, opportunity, and the determination to create a better future despite overwhelming challenges.
Growing up in Kumasi as the eldest of three children, Magnus carried responsibilities beyond his years. After losing his father at a young age, he watched his mother struggle to provide for the family. Determined to build a brighter future, he completed his education at Kumasi Senior High Technical School and pursued a diploma in Software Engineering at IPMC in Accra. However, financial hardship prevented him from paying the fees required to obtain his diploma certificate, forcing him to return to Kumasi without the qualification he had worked so hard to earn.
Back home, Magnus faced a difficult reality. Despite months of searching, stable employment remained out of reach. He relied on friends for support and took on occasional menial jobs whenever opportunities arose, all while helping to care for his younger siblings. Living in a shared apartment with his grandmother and family, he often worried about how he would support those who depended on him.
Everything began to change in May 2024 when Magnus enrolled in the Get Into Employment project, a King’s Trust International-funded initiative implemented by YOTA to equip young people with the skills, experience, and opportunities needed to access decent employment in Ghana’s hospitality sector.
Through the programme, Magnus received practical hospitality training alongside essential soft skills development. He strengthened his communication abilities, built confidence, and learned workplace problem-solving techniques that would later prove invaluable in his career. What began as a training opportunity soon became a pathway to transformation.
Following his successful completion of the programme, Magnus secured an internship at Excelsa Lodge. His commitment, professionalism, and growing confidence enabled him to excel in the role and gain valuable industry experience. Later, he accepted a new opportunity at Camp Martin Hotel, attracted by better working conditions and prospects for growth. Through hard work and dedication, he steadily advanced within the organisation and eventually earned a promotion to the position of supervisor.
Today, Magnus enjoys a level of financial stability that once seemed impossible. He has moved into his own apartment, supports the education of his younger sibling, and contributes meaningfully to his family’s well-being. Beyond meeting immediate needs, he continues to invest in his future through online courses in digital marketing and communication, believing that continuous learning creates access to even greater opportunities.
His entrepreneurial spirit has also flourished. Using the income and confidence gained through employment, Magnus has launched a small importation business to supplement his earnings and diversify his sources of income. What started as a journey to find work has evolved into a broader vision for financial independence and long-term growth.
Perhaps one of the most inspiring aspects of Magnus’s story is his commitment to helping others succeed. Having experienced the life-changing impact of the programme firsthand, he has encouraged more than ten young people from his community to enrol in the Get Into Employment project. Many of them have since secured jobs of their own, creating a ripple effect of opportunity and hope.
Magnus also gives back in other ways, often sharing gifts with vulnerable children and orphans in his community. For him, success is not only about personal achievement but also about creating opportunities for others and bringing joy to those in need.
Today, Magnus is no longer defined by unemployment or financial hardship. He is a supervisor, entrepreneur, mentor, and role model. His journey demonstrates how targeted skills development, practical work experience, and access to opportunity can empower young people to overcome barriers, build sustainable livelihoods, and become agents of change within their communities.
His story is a powerful reminder that when young people are given the tools to succeed, they do not simply transform their own lives; they inspire and uplift others along the way.
