I M P A C T S T O R Y
Christiana Tiquaye’s journey is a powerful reminder that opportunity, confidence, and the right support can transform lives.
Before joining the Get Into Employment project, Christiana faced a period of deep uncertainty. After losing her previous job when her employer relocated from Kumasi to Accra, she found herself unemployed and struggling to move forward. With only a Senior High School education and no financial support from her family, she was left to navigate life on her own.
The emotional impact of unemployment weighed heavily on her. Christiana described herself as withdrawn, nervous around people, and quick to anger. Staying home without work left her feeling stuck and discouraged, uncertain about what the future held.
Everything began to change when she enrolled in the Get Into Employment project, a King’s Trust International-funded initiative implemented by YOTA to equip young people with the skills and opportunities needed to access decent employment in the hospitality sector.
Through the programme’s soft skills training, Christiana developed critical workplace and personal development skills, including communication, anger management, professional grooming, and self-confidence. Beyond technical preparation, the programme helped her grow personally and professionally, enabling her to engage with people more confidently and present herself with greater professionalism.
These newly acquired skills opened the door to employment at the Royal Basin Hotel in Kumasi. For Christiana, securing the role marked far more than just getting a job. It represented a complete shift in her circumstances and self-worth.
Today, Christiana earns a steady income, supports her parents and siblings, and is able to save money for the future. She has transitioned from financial uncertainty to independence, gaining the respect and recognition of her family and community along the way.
She reflects proudly on how much her life has changed, noting that she is now viewed as a hardworking and dependable woman within her community. The same people who once saw her as idle now come to her for support and assistance.
Perhaps most importantly, Christiana has experienced a transformation in confidence and emotional resilience. She now communicates without fear, handles challenging situations calmly, and approaches life with renewed optimism and purpose.
Her story demonstrates that investing in young people goes beyond employment outcomes. It is about restoring dignity, building confidence, and creating pathways to long-term stability and growth.
Today, Christiana encourages other young people facing hardship not to give up, but to pursue opportunities that can change the course of their lives, just as the Get Into Employment project changed hers.
