Capturing The Accra Talent Weekend Experience

Laying the Foundation

The maiden edition of Accra Talent Weekend (ATW) was a dream brought to life through meticulous planning and unwavering dedication. Organized by Grow with Bridge and the Africa Discourse Channel, the event aimed to create a platform for career development and entrepreneurial growth in Ghana.

Planning began months in advance, with the team working tirelessly to identify relevant topics, secure inspiring speakers, and engage key stakeholders. Challenges included aligning schedules of industry leaders, securing the right venue, and ensuring seamless coordination across multiple teams. Despite these hurdles, the team’s persistence paid off. Collaborative efforts and a shared vision set the stage for a groundbreaking event.

Co-founder Rita Naa Kordey Clottey shared,
“It was not without its challenges, but seeing everything come together made it all worthwhile. This event is about connecting people to opportunities and inspiring them to achieve their potential.”

Highlights and Key Moments

On the event day, the energy was palpable. ATW brought together industry leaders, students, and professionals from diverse sectors to explore opportunities, share knowledge, and inspire innovation. The event featured panel discussions, keynote speeches, and workshops on essential topics such as the future of work, emerging technologies, and career transitions.

Rita Naa Kordey Clottey’s opening remarks emphasized bridging the gap between industry requirements and professional skills.

“Our goal is to ignite the spark that helps individuals grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” she noted.

Edem Quinton, Head of Fintech Business Development at Cal Bank, delivered a powerful keynote emphasizing collaboration, adaptability, and innovation. “True talent extends beyond skills,” he remarked. “It’s about connecting with others, creating opportunities, and envisioning the future.”

Panel Discussions

• Building Tomorrow’s Workforce:

Moderated by Akosua Osei, Founder of BeTech Connect, this session delved into developing the skills needed for career success. Panelists included Richmond Chris Koka (Senior Product Manager & Events Chair, BPM Africa), Shelomith Ofori-Nyarko (Trade Analyst at WeWire), and Nicholas Kwabena Amaning. Richmond emphasized the importance of mastering AI tools like Python and SQL, while Shelomith highlighted critical soft skills such as adaptability and creativity. Nicholas underscored the value of non-technical skills like project management and emotional intelligence in any field.

• How to Attract Global Opportunities:

Yaa Essuamaah Afran-Okese led this session with panelists Princess Edokpayi (COO, Spurt), Emmanuel Gamor (Senior Manager, MTN Ghana & Lecturer, University of Stellenbosch), Michel Nkansah (Founder, LegalTech Lounge & Senior Product Manager, Dentons), and Gabriel Quarshie (Project Manager, British Council). Princess shared insights on building cross-border networks, while Emmanuel highlighted the role of cultural adaptability in accessing global opportunities. Michel encouraged professionals to leverage digital branding to stand out, and Gabriel shared personal stories of navigating global job markets.

Workshops and Networking

During the second part of the event, it was time for the workshop sessions. Each workshop was designed to target the fundamental skills young people needed to gain employment and thrive in their careers.  The sessions were Personal Branding, CV Clinic and Productivity Corner

The first session, Personal Branding and LinkedIn Optimization, led by Felix Kusi (Community and Social Media Lead, BeTech Connect), equipped attendees with actionable strategies for standing out in competitive markets and optimizing LinkedIn profiles for your personal brand.

The CV Clinic session led by Joseph Nii Otinkorang Ankrah (HR Project and Business Development Lead, Axis Human Capital), spoke about the importance of having a curated CV, Do’s and Don'ts of writing a CV and what recruiters lookout for in prospective employees.

Joel Anaman Kojo Abaka (Founder/Lead Product Manager, Mande) led the last session, Productivity corner. Joel taught about maximizing productivity, how to set SMART goals, how to choose career paths. He also shared the tools he developed, designed to aid career people document their growth and journey (Career Wheel by Mande).

Despite this being the last part of the event, audience participation was high and encouraging, many attendees found the session very helpful and they expressed their gratitude to the speakers.

Celebrating Success

The success of ATW was evident in the numbers and feedback. Over 200 attendees, including students, young professionals, and seasoned industry leaders, participated in the event. Feedback highlighted the event’s value in addressing career challenges and providing actionable insights.

One attendee shared,

“This event has opened my eyes to the skills I need to develop to stand out in my career. The sessions were insightful and inspiring.”

Reflecting on the event, the organizing team expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and enthusiasm. Plans are already underway for the next edition, with a commitment to making it even bigger and more impactful.

As Rita has stated, ATW was not just an event–it was a movement that will continue creating impact.

Looking Ahead

Accra Talent Weekend has set the stage for shaping future leaders and professionals. By connecting talent to opportunities and fostering growth, ATW is poised to become the cornerstone of career and entrepreneurial development in Ghana and beyond.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue building bridges and breaking barriers, one connection at a time!