Empowering Women, Transforming Communities
On one faithful day, young mothers and women from surrounding rural communities gathered with a shared hope — the desire for opportunity, skills, and a better future for themselves and their families. This gathering marked the beginning of the Digital Access and Rural Empowerment (DARE) Programme, an initiative implemented by International Child Development Programme (ICDP) Ghana, supported by UNESCO and Ghana-Indian Kofi Annan Center for Education (GI-KACE), with appreciation to the Mastercard Foundation.
For many of the women present, access to digital tools, vocational skills, reproductive health education, and entrepreneurial knowledge had long felt out of reach. The DARE Programme was created to change that story.
Participants from Somanya area at the inception meeting
Laying The Foundation
The programme officially began with a Mapping of Beneficiaries and Orientation exercise in the Yilo Krobo Municipal District. This first step was intentional — ensuring that the women who needed support most were seen, heard, and included.
Through open engagement and dialogue, ICDP Ghana explained the vision of DARE: to equip young mothers and women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) with practical skills that lead to confidence, independence, and sustainable livelihoods.
As a symbol of commitment and shared responsibility, participants signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the start of a partnership built on trust, accountability, and growth.
Unlocking Potential Through Skills
From tailoring and hairdressing to baking, makeup artistry, and decoration, each woman chose a skill aligned with her passion and aspirations. In total, 200 participants were successfully mapped at both Somanya and Nkurakan and grouped into vocational pathways designed to generate income and open doors to entrepreneurship.
The women came from diverse communities across the municipality, each bringing her own story, challenges, and determination. What united them was the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to their households and communities.
Strengthening Sustainability Through VSLA
Beyond vocational and digital skills training, young mothers and women were also trained on how to sustain their businesses and improve their lives through the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) initiative.
Through VSLA, beneficiaries learned practical financial management skills, including savings culture, small loans access, record keeping, and group accountability. This approach empowers women to build capital, support one another financially, and expand their businesses sustainably.
By integrating VSLA into the DARE Programme, ICDP Ghana ensured that participants are not only skilled but financially resilient — capable of sustaining their enterprises, managing emergencies, and planning for long-term growth.
Graduates from Nkurankan area in a group under the VSLA initiative
Graduates from Nkurankan area in a group under the VSLA initiative
Graduates from Somanya area in a group under the VSLA initiative
Graduates from Somanya area in a group under the VSLA initiative
Strengthened By Partnerships
The DARE journey is supported by strong collaborations with institutions including the Ghana–India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT.
These partnerships ensure that participants gain not only hands-on vocational skills, but also exposure to digital literacy, mentorship, reproductive health education and entrepreneurial thinking.
Learning, Reflection, And The Road Ahead
As the programme unfolded, ICDP Ghana remained committed to learning and improvement. Team debriefs allowed for reflection on lessons learned, challenges encountered, and ways to strengthen implementation. Monitoring and Evaluation were emphasized as key tools to track progress and measure impact.
The DARE Programme is more than a training initiative — it is a pathway to dignity, resilience, and opportunity. With every skill learned, every savings contribution made, and every confidence gained, women are rewriting their stories and shaping stronger, more empowered rural communities.
Success Stories Of Some DARE Graduates
