Impact Week Busua, Ghana

When: From September 18 until September 26, 2024

Where: in Busua (a coastal town approximately 250 km from Accra)


Community engagement in the beach village of Busua

This Impact Week will be the starting point for the soon-to-be-opened center for vocational training for social entrepreneurship of our local partner: the non-profit organization UP Development and its Ghanaian branch OPC, which are focussing on community engagement and sustainable development. UP Development: „ We believe in creating a meaningful impact beyond simply raising funds. Change should not be limited to the projects we financially support. We fundraise for our partner organization in Busua, Ghana, through engaging activities like tattooing at festivals, to spark curiosity and excitement. By doing so, we strive to build a community and share knowledge from our Ghanaian partners, fostering systemic change in Switzerland.“

 

 

The Obrobibini Peace Complex in Ghana is a holistic center offering sustainable farm options, eco-friendly accommodations, educational programs and commercial products. It provides immersive experiences in permaculture and natural building, allowing participants to engage directly with sustainable farming practices. The complex also offers comfortable eco-lodging, creating a serene environment for rest and reflection. Educational workshops and programs focus on traditional African spirituality and sustainable living, promoting personal growth and environmental awareness. Visitors can realign with nature, learn practical skills, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

 

We have already been to Accra three times in the past years, but this time it is different: We will work with a local partner and the whole community of the village of Busua while learning to apply Design Thinking to achieve meaningful change in a new region in Ghana. 


Curious about how it works?

The spirit of Impact Week is a mix of entrepreneurship and social innovation, coupled with intercultural exchange. It is a memorable experience for all participants. 

During the first week, we will train a new group of Junior Design Thinking Coaches by taking them through a three-day "Train-the-Coach" phase. 

 

In the practical phase in the second week the newly trained Junior Coaches will directly apply their new Design Thinking skills while being guided by experienced Design Thinking experts (calles "Senior Coaches") and help students find innovative solutions for local challenges. 


What are the focus areas (tracks) for challenges?

Each participating team will work on one focus area and create an innovative idea to tackle it – always keeping the Design Thinking methodology at heart. Our local partner is currently assessing which problems are most pressing and relevant to the local  community.


What's in it for our Junior Coach participants?

Upon completion of the program, you will be a trained Junior Design Thinking Coach, who has already applied the methodology and can become a multiplier of the methodology in your professional and private life.

You'll gain key skills through Design Thinking, such as innovation, customer focus, and implementation orientation. 

 

In addition, Impact Week promotes local entrepreneurship and social innovation and ideally helps our local partner UP development to implement generated solutions.


How to apply as a Junior Coach?

As a Junior Coach applicant, please fill out the following form expressing your interest. We will then schedule a 30-minute conversation with you. After we spoke to all applicants we will make our final decision on who is joining us in Ghana. 

Applications are open until July 1st!

Timeline

Impact Week is scheduled in the Ghanaian time zone (GMT)

Date Activity
July 1

Registration for Junior Design Thinking Coaches closes

July 19 Hybrid all-hands meeting of all participants
September 16 Travel to Accra
September 17 Travel from Accra to Busua
September 18 -20 Train the Trainer: Our Junior Coaches get a professional Design Thinking training
September 23 - 26 Impact Week Ghana – 4 days Design Thinking Challenge
September 26 End of Impact Week Ghana 2023

 

Teams will receive details regarding exact timings of the event after registration confirmation & selection.


Some impressions from Impact Week Ghana 2022 and 2023

Do you have further questions?

Alina Karl alina-karl@web.de Student Co-Organizer
Carolin Taenzer carolin.taenzer@impactweek.net Impact Week Lead Organizer
Stephen Githii Kagwathi kgithii@anu.ac.ke
Africa Nazarene University Lead Coach
Andrea Quintero andrea.quintero@impactweek.net Impact Week Marketing & Communication Lead