YBLA YoPros Serves Ghana: A Recap of Accra

Traveling from Atlanta and Charlotte, the YoPros embarked on our first international experience to Accra, Ghana with YBLA.

Makola Market

After checking into our hotel, we were guided on a tour through the Makola Market.

The Makola Market is a vibrant and electrifying outdoor market full of fresh food, jewelry, clothes, shoes, cosmetic products, souvenirs, and more. If you own it, you can likely find it at this market, that is how vast the selection was. Agreeing to simply observe, the YoPros briskly walked through the market, opening our minds to an exhilarating experience of local commerce. We witnessed bartering of goods while learning the art of negotiations. This was our very first experience of a key part of life living in Ghana.

Global Leadership Forum

The next day, we attended the annual YBLA Global Leadership Forum. As attendees, we engaged with young professionals living in Ghana.

As a part of the forum, we listened to the panel of young professionals discussing hospitality, economics, culture, and technology in both the United States and Ghana. The panelists shared

their perspectives on career topics impacting the diaspora from their professional experiences in their respective countries. In addition, the panel provided advice to all the young professionals in

the space to encourage skill building, networking, and developing financial literacy.

After the panel, Mr. John Martin led a discussion centered on the theme of elevating from

sustaining to success to significance. As young professionals, many of us are stepping into success and solidifying our place there. However, we discussed the importance of still moving towards having a significance mindset where we can create lasting impact.

Lastly, we were split into discussion about topic areas we are passionate about. We began

thinking through associated issues, how we can try to make a small impact, and encourage

others to do the same. There was emphasis on truly defining the problem before moving into trying to find a solution. We created call-to-action videos to get our communities involved with making an impact, and closed out this discussion with group reflection.

Cape Coast Castle

Day 2 consisted of an informative and emotional tour of the Cape Coast Castle where we

learned about the history and horrors Africans experienced while being held captive there. We were guided into cells and dungeons where we learned about the horrendous conditions

Africans faced before being unalived or forced onto ships marking the beginning of what we

knew as the Transatlantic Slave Trade (renamed as the European Slave Trade). This

experience shaped reflections around the group’s ancestral roots and we were given time to

honor our ancestors.

Kluma Andor Dorfor Village

Day 3 of the experience was one many looked forward to, the day of service, this involved…

A day of celebration, connection, and service. The YoPros were welcomed with music and

dancing when arriving at the Kluma Andor Dorfor Village where a celebration took place for the opening of the Well built by YBLA in partnership with Hope for Ghana.

The YoPros were taken to view the Village’s source of water and examined the contaminated water conditions. The women in the village spoke to the usages of the water and the impacts the water has had on their health. They shared their gratitude for the Well and the positive impact it will have on the community. Lastly, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony held in the village to commemorate the significant day of the well being opened for the community to receive clean, fresh water.

After the ceremony, the YoPros traveled to the local school in the Village to participate in the

shoe distribution, in partnership with Samaritan’s Feet. The YoPros washed feet, provided new shoes, and engaged with the children of the community.

The service day was truly an unforgettable experience that provided the YoPros with the

opportunity to create a lasting impact.

Ga Customary Naming Ceremony

The GLF closed out with us YoPros receiving our new Ghanaian names. We had an official

naming ceremony where we received our new name and were welcomed home. At the end, we celebrated everyone’s new names and qualities highlighted on our certificates.

In addition to the main events listed above, the YoPros attended cultural dinners, visited

beaches, went shopping at local markets, learned Ghanaian dances, and learned a few words in Twi (Ghanaian language).

Our immersive trip to Ghana was an incredible, life-altering leadership experience. We

embraced new perspectives, gained new connections, and were encouraged to continue

to serve others.

P.S. A group of us had a chance to explore the center of Amsterdam on our layover when

heading home.