An annual free networking event organised by Ghana and USA-based Ghana Think Foundation was held over the weekend.
Dubbed "The Ghanaian Dream", the virtual Barcamp was aimed at "bringing people together for a day of learning, sharing, networking and mentoring".
The organisation explained in a press release that this theme was to "collate individuals’ Ghanaian dreams to come up with Ghanaian dreams on a national level, as well as regional, municipal, metropolitan and community-based".
"This campaign is in line with our desire to deepen the conversation around nationalism, the consciousness of the youth in national development; and networking, discussing what we want for Ghana, etc. This campaign will deepen engagement with Ghanaian communities on the future they perceive for the country, and how they can contribute toward attaining that,| they added.
Some 22 mentors were available to coach participants of the Barcamp.
Participants were put into groups with a mentor to discuss a topic of choice.
This year's event was partnered by CowTribe, ExpressPay, WearGhana, hapaWeb, Leti Arts, DigiExt, Handy Tradie among others.
They ran the following breakout sessions: How to drive inclusion through reliable local content by kasahorow & Anokwale team; Import substitution with digitalization and mechanization by DigiExt; Building great customer experiences by expresspay; The Winning Strategy - intrapreneurship or entrepreneurship by HandyTradie - We Fix It; Fundamental game design and how to merge pop culture with local culture by Shaan Mishra of Leti Arts.
So far, GhanaThink has successfully organized 111BarCamps in Ghana.
Some participants of the previous events are full of praise for the virtual event.
Leonard Hagan participated in his first Barcamp in 2011 in Accra. He joined the Barcamp Tema team in 2012.
He stated: “Virtual Barcamp isn’t here to replace our traditional Barcamp event but as a channel to reach changemakers, thinkers and doers nationwide or around the world while we contribute to effecting the COVID-19 protocols to reduce or help eradicate the Corona Virus in our world today. We are going to have very insightful and knowledgeable mentors and participants joining to broaden our understanding in matters around us, in Ghana and beyond”.
Irene Ali Dery started participating in Barcamps years ago in Tamale and Kumasi before joining the Barcamp Kumasi team as the resources lead. She is currently the resources lead for Barcamp Ghana.
She stated: “In recent times, it appears that the socio-economic policies in Ghana are not aimed at making our businesses thrive. The Standard of living is extremely high and many young people are losing touch of their sense of patriotism. How can we be the change we seek in our leaders, how do we leverage on our social capital to make our lives better and how can we individually ensure that our Ghanaian dreams materialize?”
The organisation was founded by Ato Ulzen-Appiah, a social entrepreneur, consultant and blogger.
He was named African Male Youth of the Year 2018.
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