Growing a community of change makers in Koforidua and beyond

+Barcamp Koforidua 2013 was was organized on November 23 at the All Nations University College in Koforidua. This was the very first Barcamp organized in Koftown as the team had been a work in progress for over a year. It finally all came together last month as various residents of Koforidua came together to form a team to organize the event. The theme was "Growing a community of change makers". Koforidua became the 10th location for a +Barcamp Ghana event and the Eastern Region was the 8th region to have a Barcamp in Ghana.

The event started with a discussion around the town Koforidua. It was revealed though Nkawkaw was not the capital of the Eastern region, it had more commercial activity because of the Accra-Kumasi route. Attendees praised the local transport system though as it deals very well with traffic even during rush hour.We learnt a lot about Koforidua Flowers, its origin as an Adinkra symbol and present stories, etc. It was surprising to note how a good number of people commute to Koforidua for work each day. See a storify post about the build-up to the event and reactions and updates. Koforidua Pro-Links, a company to network professionals in Ghana was introduced to the attendees. Storify about getting Barcamp Koforidua underway.

The event continued with the speed mentoring session. The speed mentors (resource personnel) had 1-on-1 mentoring sessions with attendees for 10 minutes at a time. The mentors included +Nkansah Rexford ( +Planning WIKIMEDIA GHANA), +Samuel Tinagyei (Optometrist & Writer of Smart Money), +Bubune Sorkpor (Cedinomics), Beatrice Ani Asamoah (+World Reader), +Africanbaby Kmj aka Klexx Maxwell Justice (Vision FM), Whit Alexander (Burro Biz), +Fiifi Brakatu (Tema General Hospital), Mary B Wilson (ANU Lecturer), Vivian Amoako Atta (Enterepreneur & Bead maker), Pastor Love (ICGC Jesus Temple), +Eric Amonoo (ANU Lecturer), and others.

There were a number of presentations afterwards. Ernest Matey talked briefly about the much publicized Cant satellite they launched and made at All Nations University. +Nkansah Rexford spoke about +Planning Wikimedia Ghana as well. Whit Alexander talked about the Burro Brand business as well and the business opporunity. The various breakout sessions were "Building trust in a corporate world" by Pastor Love, building self-esteem led by an ANU student called Phoebe, application of sensors & transistors led by ANU Lecturer Samuel Mari-Twum, and open education session led by +Victor Ofoegbu of the Open University of West Africa. Read a Storify with updates from the sessions.

Barcamp Koforidua 2013 was the 27th +Barcamp Ghana event. The organizing team was made up of Eric, Rexford, Samuel, Samuel Mari Twum, +duncan qwame, +Jemima Abochie and +Xatse Lionel. Many other thanks and kudos to the various +GhanaThink Foundation members who played great roles to make the event successful, especially those who were present like +Seyram Freddy Ahiabor & Bubune. Check out #bckdua on Google+ and Twitter.