One Million Leaders Africa Project

I am Elvis Turkson, a Ghanaian and a Fellow of One Million Leaders Africa, OMLA Fellowship. My goal is to ensure that, I contribute to a system that eradicates inequalities and ensures inclusive development for all. Each day, I seek for a positive change towards this goal. OMLA “was and is” an excellent short for me!

NELIS Global through the One Million Leaders Africa (OMLA) provided me with an opportunity to contribute to a system of change with the aim of transforming Africa through leadership training and community development projects. This was a gateway to transform my peers and contribute to my community – Kwapia.

The leadership skills I received through their intensive online training were transferred to my twenty (2) OMLA Stars comprising of different ethnicities and tribes with a shared belief to make our community a better place for all. This was done through weekly (Sundays) meetings to learn, unlearn and relearn a common way to build ourselves and impact our society.

Together with the stars, we agreed to undertake a community project at Kwapia Junior High School. The Project was themed as OMLA Soft Skill and Entrepreneurial Development training. The aim was to enrich students with Public speaking skills, Prepare them for their Basic Education Certificate Examination Teach them entrepreneurial skills – Liquid Soap making, shower gel and beads products.

PHASE 1

• This Phase of the project lasted for three weeks with intense capacity building of students in terms of persuasive and
• convincing speeches and learning thoroughly for their examination scheduled for 7th August 2023.
• We relied on some teachers for extra classes while the stars provided supervision to ensure the success of the projects.
• Quiz competitions were held to test their knowledge of what they learnt and their readiness for their examination. It was between Kwapia D/A JHS and Kwapia R/C JHS
• The Quiz centred on

1. Mathematics
2. English Language
3. Integrated Science
4. Current Affairs.

PHASE 2

• This phase was more of a practical experience and inspiring messages from a well-known entrepreneur in the community.
• They were taken through the preparation of :

1. Liquid soap
2. Shower gel
3. Beads products.

• At the close of the training/program, the entrepreneur showed them how to place value on such products to aid them in monetising what they have learned.

At the end of the project, my team and I were able to have a number of positive impacts, some of which are stated below:

Offering soft skills such as public speaking, effective presentation and communication to the students

Providing an opportunity for students to have practical entrepreneurial skill development.

Instilling in students and teachers, the essential skills in business such as budgeting, production and marketing.

Serving as a motivation for 226 students to achieve something meaningful even when formal education is not favourable.

Reduce youth unemployment and improve the livelihood of the youth in the community.

Bring the community together and foster unity.

To wrap things up, NELIS Global through OMLA provided a road and positive avenue to transform the lives of the students and the community populace. We appreciate and hope to do more to transform the lives of our community, Ghana and
Africa at large.

Thanks to all Sponsors, donors and partners of the OMLA project!

You can read more about the work OMLA does in the attached newsletter.

• OMLA Newsletter Q3 2023 (PDF)