Level Up- Career and Skills Enhancement Summit in Accra Ghana 

On May 20, 2023, the Accra Ghana Laterbiokorshie Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held the Career and Skills Enhancement Summit, Level Up.  The event was held at the Larterbiokorshie Stake Center.  The summit was organized with the goal of helping the members of the local community, especially the youth and young single adults, become aware of the many professions available to them and prepare them for a successful future.

The event brought together the youth, young single adults, and adult members of the Stake as well as their friends and neighbors. All members of the community were invited to be part of this innovative program.   

Under the direction of the Stake presidency, collaborators throughout the area with diverse professional backgrounds were invited to be facilitators and speakers at this maiden event.

Dr. Mary Eyram Ashinyo, a renowned public health physician with Ghana Health Service, President Daniel Akowuah-Dwomoh, a Human Resource expert and David Adeabah, a Finance management practitioner at the Africa West area office were present as facilitators. Matt Richards, a BYU Pathway and Scholarship Director, Paul Jesse Mensah a CEO and management and procurement expert, and Martha Mensah and Jemima Gbadegesin, psychologists were also available to provide support as speakers and facilitators respectively. Michael Amparbeng, an educational funding and scholarship professional and Miracle Eze, a talent acquisition practitioner were available to serve as facilitators.  

The Summit was comprised of three sessions.  During the first session, Brother David Adeabah focused on embracing change and developing a positive mindset to overcome obstacles and achieve personal and professional goals. He said, "We all have 24 hours. Find quality time to develop what you can become because it's about you and what you can do with that time." His inspiring words resonated with the audience, motivating them to adopt a proactive approach to growth.

The second Speaker, Dr. Mary Eyram Ashinyo, emphasized the power of networking in achieving career goals. Attendees learned about the value of building meaningful connections and leveraging networks to unlock new opportunities.

After the first session, participants attended various workshops facilitated by industry experts. Miracle Eze and Daniel Akowuah-Dwomoh conducted a workshop on HR practices and effective talent management. Matt Richards shared valuable insights on educational pathways and scholarship opportunities and told participants that “In certain standards where things seem to be difficult, know that repetition is the mother of learning." Paul Jesse Mensah guided participants on effective management and procurement strategies, including insights on starting their own businesses and understanding costs.

 Martha Mensah, a psychologist, provided valuable advice on mental well-being and stress management.  Micheal Amparbeng trained the participants on educational funding and scholarship opportunities. He taught that, "Information is power. When you have the right information at the right time, you can make informed decisions that lead to success."  

In the third session, all participants reconvened to receive words of encouragement. Martha Mensah spoke about the importance of self-care and emotional resilience in pursuing career success, encouraging individuals to prioritize their mental health. Jemima Gbadegesin delivered a motivating address on building resilience and emphasized the power of perseverance in overcoming challenges.

The objective of the self-reliance and welfare program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to care for those in need while teaching principles that promote self-reliance and self-respect.  The Level Up conference provided youth and young single adults with the opportunity hear from community leaders and employment experts, and to provide them with a pathway to employment success.