Adwuma Pa, derived from the Akan language of Ghana, means “Decent employment.” It therefore does not take an overactive imagination to decipher the core message enshrined in the Adwuma Pa project. A closer look reveals just how much the “Decent employment” concept seeps into every aspect of the Adwuma Pa project, from its facilitators and trainers, down to its beneficiaries.
Implemented by YOTA in partnership with Child Rights International, CARE, and Olam, and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, this initiative aims to combat child labor, forced labor against women and children in the cocoa supply chain, and violations of labor protection laws.
The Adwuma Pa project mobilized about 1,700 women from 3 regions, 4 districts and 80 communities, and put 921 of them through life skills and vocational training. That is not all. The project seeks to ensure success in their chosen trade areas by connecting them to mentoring services, business advisory services and other useful opportunities.
The numerical impact of Adwuma Pa is, however, not half as riveting as the life-altering stories it has spun. One such story that remains a testimony on the tongues of the indigenes of Mawaninso, is that of Felicia Pataa.
Orphaned at a young age, Felicia faced immense challenges, getting pregnant at age 13. Living with an allegedly abusive partner, destitute and battered, she had no family to turn to for support. The foresight of the town’s chief, the Odikuro, to enroll her as a project beneficiary became the turning point that changed her life and provided her with “decent employment” – Adwuma Pa.
At 17, Felicia joined the Adwuma Pa life skills training. Initially, she isolated herself due to her circumstances. “She would come with her child and isolate herself at the back of the class. Her clothes were tattered, and the other participants mocked her foul smell,” Joel Amuaduro Baffuor, Field Coordinator for the Adwumapa project recounted. Gradually, Felicia gained confidence, excelling in activities and becoming an unspoken leader in her class. The training covered essential life skills, vocational skills like hairdressing, fashion design, and baking, and sensitization on child labor, forced labor, and gender-based violence. This training was instrumental in transforming Felicia’s outlook on life.
A beneficiary of the project at her training post in Bechem
With newfound knowledge, she started a business selling noodles with 50 Ghana cedis solicited from one of the facilitators. Applying entrepreneurial and financial management skills, she saved 1,200 Ghana cedis to move to Bechem, a neighboring town for vocational training in Fashion Design. Felicia is now financially independent and dreams of creating a comfortable life for herself and her child, all thanks to the Adwuma Pa project. The Fashion Designer under whom she trained, praised her performance stating; “Felicia is doing remarkably well.”
“When we first arrived in the town for the project, the girls’ confidence was notably low. They were shy and timid, struggling to speak up. Now, they are challenging the status quo and actively participating in decisions that impact their community,” Joel observed. Reflecting on his personal journey, he added, “I have learned a great deal and experienced life in a profoundly positive way. I’ve gained insight into how people from these communities think and feel about themselves. I’m particularly moved by how the girls now interact with me freely and confidently. This, I believe, is the most meaningful way I can make a difference. In the end, my name will be remembered as part of the development story in Tano South.”
Freeman Mensah, Field Coordinator for the Adwuma Pa project in the Asikumah-Odoben-Brakwah district, shared his perspective on the initiative: “The concept is truly excellent. It has a significant impact on the target group, influencing their decisions and showing them that they can bargain for better out of life. This brings me a great sense of fulfillment.”
It’s clear that the “decent employment” concept not only empowers the girls in these communities but also profoundly affects the lives of its facilitators. Everyone deserves decent employment, and Adwuma Pa is dedicated to making that a reality for all.
