How GhanaThink's Barcamp Ghana Transformed Various Lives and Keeps Giving Back

When we set out with GhanaThink Foundation to host the very first Barcamp Ghana in Accra on December 23, 2008, we were driven by a vision to create a vibrant platform for networking, learning, and collaboration. 15 years in, we continue to reflect on how far this community has come and how it has touched the lives of team members, volunteers, and participants across the country.

The beauty of Barcamp Ghana lies in its people—the dedicated organizers, leads, and volunteers who bring these events to life across different cities, including Barcamp Accra, Barcamp Tema, Barcamp Tamale, and Barcamp Koforidua. We have always seen Barcamps as a way to drive the personal development of individuals. A number of GhanaThink members shared their personal stories and reflections - how participating in a Barcamp, etc shaped their personal growth, professional journeys, and impact in society. Watch this playlist around #BarcampGhanaAt10

Building Leadership, Networks, and Professional Exposure

For Patrick Keli Atitsogbui, the current Marketing & Online lead for Barcamp Ghana, being part of the Barcamp Tema and Barcamp Accra teams previously was a phenomenal experience. He has been emceed most of the Barcamps since covid, growing his ability to moderate and manage sessions. As Patrick reflected, this youth-led event gave him the opportunity to meet and network with a lot of people, learn new things, and share his knowledge with others over a decade of impact.

Sampson Wolanyo Deklu was until a few years ago, the partnership lead for Barcamp Ghana. Before that, he led the Barcamp Kumasi team for a few years as well. He describes how his role monitoring and evaluating partner activities and bringing on new partners expanded his horizons. Through this free networking forum, Sampson gained exposure to social enterprises and how entrepreneurs impact the world. It improved his communication skills, trained him to use digital tools, allowed him to network across the ecosystem, and helped him turn his weaknesses into strengths to improve his work.

Michael Sedinam Tenu participated in Barcamp Sunyani while a student of Catholic University College and became a part of the team circa 2015. He is currently the Junior Camp Ghana resources lead. He also works in graphic design and web development. This Barcamp served as a major networking hub. Michael shares that besides meeting people and learning, participating in GhanaThink's Barcamps led to amazing gigs, policy jobs, and opportunities to engage in crucial discussions with influential leaders that drove his change-making process.

Mentorship, Career Clarity, and Starting New Initiatives

Richmond Elikplim Anane's journey with Barcamp Ghana started back in 2012 while he was a student at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). Having participated in six Barcamps across Ghana, Richmond credits the platform with linking him with like-minded individuals and providing mentorship that shaped his decision to become an accountant. It taught him that professionals must find ways to give back to society, while giving him the exposure needed to carry himself confidently in both professional and social settings. He is currently leading Komseko, GhanaThink’s training program.

Portia Sackey, an entrepreneur, attended her first Barcamp at University of Cape Coast (UCC), thanks to Rachel Hormeku who was an integral GhanaThink member (she handed over to Patrick Keli as Barcamp Ghana Marketing Lead). She went on to participate in multiple Barcamps, learning directly from seasoned speakers who shared their stories of building businesses from scratch. Through this event, Portia built contacts, gained advice, acquired customers, and found the guidance needed to start her own NGO, to help kids in her community bring out their best. As Portia puts it, Barcamp is a place to start life and make yourself better. She ended up becoming a mentor during Barcamp Cape Coast 2024.

Enoch Appiah Junior grew up in Kumasi but ended up in Navrongo for his tertiary education. He joined the GhanaThink Foundation in 2011 and served as the social media manager for Barcamp Tamale during these university days. Through Barcamp Tamale, Enoch honed his digital marketing skills by handling the event's page and built a rich network of contacts. He has been leading digital marketing for Barcamp Accra, amongst other things for a few years now.

MacCarthy MacGbathy joined the movement in 2012 at a Barcamp held at Tamale Technical University. He was inspired by what transpired around him to conspire Hopin Academy as a co-founder and director. Over the years, he transitioned from volunteer to finance manager and resource manager for the Barcamp Tamale team. MacCarthy highlights how the Barcamps provided networking opportunities, human resources, and insights from industry leaders that positively impacted his personal life and the initiatives he started. He was part of the founding team for Komseko with Richmond Anane. 

Empowering Youth, Finance Leadership, and Social Enterprise

Marian Clara Adeaba joined GhanaThink Foundation as a volunteer in 2013 and became part of the team organizing Junior Camp Ghana. She went on to become the Junior Camp finance lead, overseeing all program finances. Voluntarily giving her time allowed her to impact many students, network widely, and establish her own social enterprise, Agile Social, to drive social impact.

Esperanza Felicia Yakubu joined GhanaThink after attending the Accra College Summit circa 2013, approaching the team to express her interest. She was a student of UPSA and was part of the team that organized Barcamp UPSA 2014. While doing her national service in Koforidua, she volunteered with the Barcamp Koforidua team and was also instrumental for Barcamp Accra in subsequent years. She led logistics for Komseko during some of the program’s busiest years (2018-2023). The late Esperanza described her time with the foundation as an eye-opener that increased her confidence, provided mentorship, and exposed her to new possibilities.

Nathaniel Alpha participated in his first Barcamp in 2012 while a student of Keta Senior High School (Ketasco). After joining his teacher Gameli Adzaho to Barcamp Tema 2012 also that year, he and some Ketasco students invited GhanaThink to run a Barcamp for them, which became the first Junior Camp in Ghana, in January 2013. When he entered tertiary, he became the lead for GhanaThink’s Junior Camp Ghana program - providing value to high schools. He recalls his excitement at meeting young people and sharing ideas. He describes his initial Barcamp experience as a true eye-opener, and he continues to celebrate many years of making history through a philosophy of less talk, more action.

Joshua Kumi, the former marketing & online & team lead for Barcamp Koforidua, noted that Barcamp Ghana empowered him to connect with like-minded individuals who supported his career, business, and personal life. He recommends Barcamp to anyone looking to learn, network, and grow.

Finally, Fawziyya Issah joined GhanaThink after attending Barcamp Wa in 2015 and was invited to lead marketing for Barcamp Tamale eventually. She was also part of the founding Komseko team. Fawziyya shared that working with GhanaThink taught her teamwork, expanded her network across regions, boosted her public speaking and MCing confidence, and helped improve her writing skills through mentorship from fellow members.

Ten Years of Impact and Beyond

The collective experiences of Patrick Keli Atitsogbui, Sampson Wolanyo Deklu, Michael Sedinam Tenu, Richmond Elikplim Anane, Portia Sackey, Enoch Appiah Junior, Esperanza Felicia Yakubu, MacCarthy MacGbathy, Marian Clara Adeaba, Nathaniel Alpha, Joshua Kumi, and Fawziyya Issah reflect the true essence of GhanaThink's Barcamp Ghana.

It is more than an event series—it is a supportive, nationwide community that builds confidence, nurtures social enterprises, opens professional doors, and empowers young people to take action in their communities. Here is to celebrating many years of impact and looking forward to many more years of great things!